This episode of the Footprints podcast features Honorable Doctor Miria Koburunga Matembe, who shares her remarkable life story, motivations, and insights into finding tranquility amid life's inevitable transitions. With candor and charisma, Doctor Matembe highlights the value of her voice, which has served as a powerful tool to combat discrimination and violence against women. Her voice has been instrumental in challenging the prevailing societal norm that women are only valuable if they give birth to male children or bring dowry to their homes. Through her experiences, Doctor Matembe offers valuable wisdom on navigating the complexities of life to achieve personal and professional success.
The fourth child out of nine, Honorable (Hon.) Matembe was born in Bwizibwera Kashari, a rural area. Unlike many girls in her village, she was fortunate to attend school, an opportunity for which she is forever grateful to her father. However, whenever there were cash shortages in the school fees budget, her brothers were prioritized over her, for the fact that they were male. She even knew an aunt experiencing domestic violence from her husband but was never defended. Instead, she was belittled and blamed for what she was going through.
When a lawyer came to her village to resolve a murder case, she made it her goal to become one, with a focus on the affairs of women and girls. With this dream, she worked hard in her final year at primary school and scored above the passing grade, which allowed her to proceed to high school ahead of one of her brothers. It was quite the chagrin when her father later suggested that she quit her formal secondary education, for a teaching course at another institution, to accommodate said brother’s attendance at high school. It was unfair to allocate more importance to the education of boys to that of girls.
She firmly resisted this proposition as she wanted to study law, not teaching. She endeavored to find sponsorship for her education, and fortunately, she received a bursary from the Chief Education Officer. She went on to study her A level at Namasagali College where she learned that law enactment ensues in parliament. “When I heard this, my dream was extended,” she says. Her ambition developed from pursuing a career in law to parliament.
Hon. Matembe expresses gratitude that she exceeded her original aspirations. She started as a lecturer who influenced and supported young women. Advancing to the national level as the minister for ethics and integrity from 1998 to 2003, she ensured that the constitution addressed women's concerns and rights like education and equal opportunities for political positions. She and Hope Mwesige implemented improvements such as using gender-neutral language in parliament, which gave women equal status as their fellow male counterparts, and allowing women to wear pantsuits that qualified for appropriate formal attire. She was appointed the first Minister of Ethics and Integrity in 2001. Throughout her duties, she defended and supported women in many campaigns against abuse and assault, as well as promoting girl child education. She was recognized on the international platform, receiving a standing ovation after her speech at the 1995 Women’s Conference in Beijing, China, as she advocated for the rights of women in Africa as a whole.
However, the fight for women was no easy feat. Hon. Matembe faced criticism in the newspapers due to the sensitivity of her cause, in a society deeply biased toward the relevance of women. Her determination was key in her resolve to fully utilize her position to bring forth the transformation she envisioned.
Shockingly, after 20 years as a politician, Hon. Matembe was removed from her position. It was sudden and cruel. “I was not ready for the transition,” she said, explaining that transition is probably the hardest for politicians, compared to public servants who usually have distinct ages for total retirement, so they can plan. As such, she was caught completely unaware, not to mention the unfairness of it all. She was “thrown out” because of her integrity and firmness against the removal of term limits for leaders in parliament. Her objection did not sit well with those who would benefit from their removal.
She had many fears; financially she did not have much money, she worried about her family’s sustenance, and was most afraid of disappearing into oblivion. It was also hurtful to be treated as a failure and embarrassment by some of the very people to whom she dedicated her life to fighting, just because she was no longer in a political position.
Hon. Matembe finally made peace with her political retirement and focused on making a difference outside of her official position. “I did not prepare, but because I was standing with God, he picked me up. He gave me even better contracts,” she says. After only three days, she went to Washington for a 5-month fellowship where she used her time to reflect and re-strategize her approach for the continuity of her vision. She co-founded Action for Development (ACFODE) and supported other women’s organizations as well.
Hon. Matembe’s story is one of faith and encouragement as she mentions times she felt discouraged and tired, but held on to her vision and belief that her God would see her through. Emphasis on the fact that leaders must first identify their God-given talents and then harness them to become passionate, determined, courageous, and accountable people to those under their leadership. It expresses how as leaders, one's position is not meant for personal gain, but to influence the lives of their people.
©Blurb written by Divine Karungi
Click Here To Listen to her journey of transition.