Tumuheirwe Florence
Tumuheirwe Florence | |
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 Tumuheirwe Florence in 2023 | |
| Born | 5 March 1963 Rweikonko village, Rukiga District, Uganda |
| Nationality | Ugandan |
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Tumuheirwe Florence (5 March 1963) a Ugandan Human Rights Activist.[1] She is currently the Executive Director of Kigezi Women in Development (KWID) - a women-led organization established in 1996 operating in Kigezi sub-region, in South Western Uganda. Her work focuses on gender equality, health advocacy, economic justice, and environmental conservation.[1][2]
Background and education
[edit]Florence was born in Rweikonko village, Kamwezi sub-county, Rukiga District. She studied her secondary education at Bweranyangi Girls' Senior Secondary School and holds qualifications in economics and community development, with specialized training in psychosocial support, reproductive health, and advocacy.[1]
Career and activism
[edit]Kigezi Women in Development (KWID)
Tumuheirwe Florence is the founder and Executive Director of Kigezi Women in Development. [3][4] Under Florence’s leadership, KWID has implemented programs in partnership with organizations like Amref Health Africa, Ministry of Water and Environment (Uganda), Girls Not Brides, Click Rukiga, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit - GIZ Uganda, ActionAid, Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET), CSBAG and Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE).[2][5] Collaborating with Amref Health Africa, she led the Health Systems Advocacy Partnership Project aimed at improving healthcare access, particularly in maternal health and family planning. [6][7]
Florence led campaigns in Kabale to increase the availability of long-term family planning services in lower health centers,[8] address low male participation in family planning by conducting community sensitization programs[9] she advocated for hands-on training for university students in sustainable practices to combat climate change. [10] In 2018, she developed and delivered petition Loy Zikampereza, the speaker of Kabale district local government, to improve Maziba Health Center IV.[11] The petition was signed by 2306 people who use the health facility. [12][13] The district approved four hundred million (400 M) for the renovation and construction of staff quarters. [14][15]
Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE)
Florence worked for FOWODE as a Field Officer for the Kabale field office from 2010 - 2017.[16] She was a critic of regressive taxation (e.g., value-added tax on essentials like sugar and kerosene), stating that such policies disproportionately harm low-income women. In 2014, she was recognized for her contribution during our Agriculture Tax campaign. She collected over 1,000 farmers’ signatures and was the lead petitioner who submitted the 1 million farmers’ petition to Rebecca Kadaga, Speaker of Parliament, on behalf of CSBAG in 2014.[17][18]
She continues to lead accountability efforts in public services, especially in governance, education, and healthcare delivery. She is also a frequent commentator on radio and television, sensitizing communities on health rights, education, gender equity, climate change, and fiscal justice. She also mentors female journalists to amplify marginalized voices. [19][20]
See also
[edit]- Josephine Nabukenya
- Hilda Flavia Nakabuye
- Esther Nakajjigo
- Vanessa Nakate
- Stella Nyanzi
- Evelyn Acham
- Rita Aciro
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "CS25_Florence Tumuheirwe". Nairobi Summit. 2019-11-01. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
- ^ a b "Kigezi Women in Development (KWID) – WOUGNET". Retrieved 2025-04-02.
- ^ Nantaba, Lukia (2024-07-09). "Kigezi women journalists urged to remain steadfast". Nilepost News. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
- ^ "Kabale Women in Development (KWID)". Girls Not Brides. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
- ^ "KWID". CLICKRukiga. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
- ^ Amref Health Africa. (2023). Kabale Women in Development (KWID) partnership report. Amref Netherlands. https://www.amref.nl/media/files/Kabale%20Women%20in%20Development.pdf
- ^ "Health Systems Advocacy – HEPS Uganda". Retrieved 2025-04-02.
- ^ Reporter, Independent (2020-10-30). "Lower health centres in Kabale now provide long term family planning services". The Independent Uganda. Retrieved 2025-04-01.
- ^ "Kabale Men Shun Family Planning Services". Uganda Radionetwork. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
- ^ "Conservationists appeal for hands-on training for university students". Monitor. 2025-02-27. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
- ^ Tugume, Godfrey (2018-12-12). "Ndorwa Residents Petition Kabale District Speaker Over Health Centre". ChimpReports. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
- ^ "Maziba Health Center Stuck with Dilapidated Staff Houses, Leaking Roof". Uganda Radionetwork. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
- ^ "Health – KWID". Retrieved 2025-04-02.
- ^ Habasa, Tobias (2023-03-28). "Sigh of relief as Maziba Health Centre IV Maternity ward is Renovated". Kabale District Local Government. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
- ^ Habasa, Tobias (2024-01-08). "Construction of four twin Staff houses launched at Maziba H/C IV". Kabale District Local Government. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
- ^ fowodeblog (2016-07-18). "KABALE FOWODE OFFICE SITS WITH THE SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT". fowodeblog. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
- ^ "Kadaga backs farmers' petition to scrap taxes on agro inputs". Monitor. 2021-01-21. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
- ^ "1 Million Farmers Petition Parliament over Agro-Input Taxes". Uganda Radionetwork. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
- ^ Nantaba, Lukia (2024-07-15). "Kigezi religious leaders urged to join fight against teenage pregnancies, early marriages". Nilepost News. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
- ^ "Kigezi CSOs Back UNATU on Strike". Uganda Radionetwork. Retrieved 2025-04-02.