Political Activist Nyanzi Wants The District Woman Member of Parliament Position Removed

KAMPALA — Political activist Nyanzi Martin Luther has announced plans to push for constitutional changes aimed at removing the District Woman Member of Parliament position, arguing that the current arrangement should either be restructured or abolished altogether.

Speaking during a public address in Kampala, Nyanzi said he intends to mobilise support for amendments to Uganda’s Constitution, maintaining that the structure of representation must reflect what he described as equal treatment for both genders.

“I am preparing to rally citizens and leaders to demand a review of this provision,” Nyanzi said. “If equality is the foundation of our democracy, then representation must be uniform. Either both genders have district representatives, or we operate on one common system.”

Uganda’s Constitution provides for a Woman MP in every district as part of affirmative action measures introduced to correct historical imbalances in political participation. The policy has been credited with increasing the number of women in Parliament over the years.

Nyanzi’s remarks have generated mixed reactions within political circles.

Former Kampala Central parliamentary aspirant Abraham Luzzi expressed support for the proposal, arguing that the seat is no longer necessary.

“The District Woman MP position has lost relevance,” Luzzi said. “Women have proven they can contest and win in open constituencies. Maintaining a special district seat is no longer justified.”

However, other commentators have cautioned against dismantling affirmative action structures without broader consultation. Political analyst Sarah Namatovu said the conversation requires careful consideration.

“We must look at the data before making such changes,” Namatovu noted. “While progress has been made, it does not automatically mean structural support is no longer needed.”

Legal experts point out that any amendment to constitutional provisions on representation would require significant parliamentary backing and could trigger nationwide debate.