The word "hero" often evokes images of powerful white men, but in truth, a hero is anyone who serves a community. The women in this gallery may not traditionally be seen as heroes, but if you take the time to read their stories, you may find there are seldom few more deserving of the title. These women represent three different regions of Uganda, bringing healing to their communities through social and political activism, through providing food for their families and neighbors, through the gifts of art and dance, through parenthood and more. They do what they do simply because they love the people around them, not because their actions give them luxuries, social media attention, or any other type of reward. These acts of selflessly serving one’s community are highly unusual in a nation where the decades-long dictator models corruption, male dominance, and the use of fear and force to control others.

We asked each woman featured in this gallery to describe herself and what she does. These women speak for themselves and present themselves to the world the way they want to be seen. In their portraits, many are looking directly into the camera, acknowledging the audience, taking the story into their own hands, and telling it the way they want it to be told.

It is our hope to raise funds for a documentary that will further extend the reach of these women and their inspiring actions within their communities. All of us on the creative team for this project strive to amplify the reach of their voices, knowing the world can learn from their wisdom. We need their stories to be told for our sake, not for theirs. Each of these women is an influencer in her community; may they inspire us to be heroes within our communities as well.

If you see the value in the stories of these women and would like to help further their reach when crowdfunding for the documentary becomes available, contact Executive Producer Shua Wilmot at shuawilmot@gmail.com.

“Mother of 4 biological and 2 adopted children. Widow for 18 years. Bakes samosa, mandazi, cookies, etc. Roasts and fries soybeans. Activist for 13 years on issues of violence against women, gender equality, governance, gender and violence, and anti-corruption. Most famously known around her constituency for starting citizen parliament—neighborhood assembly—where people gather to discuss issues affecting them and decide whether they can solve them as a community or need to call the authorities to do their job. She is proud to have addressed issues of male dominance and violence (which was excessive in her community) and girl-child education (which was neglected). “It’s a powerful gathering!”

Also carries out civic education and teaches her people about the constitution, their rights and responsibilities, taxation in Kumi (her district), and demanding for services. Has addressed poor performance in schools, public health, poor roads, etc. Has advocated for improvement of numerous sectors and become a “pain in the ass” for politicians and local authorities. She monitors service delivery by government agencies.

‘Those policemen don’t like me. When they see me entering the station, they say ‘this terrible woman has come.’ But I use the constitution and quote acts they don’t even know and yet they’re police officers. Even when I go on radio, I quote the constitution and prove I’m not doing anything wrong. I’ve been taken to police twice but they just wanted to shut me up. But you can’t shut me up. You can’t do this work if you don’t love the community... I refused to enter the cells and asked them to prepare a file for me and make me write a statement because I told them I had acted within my rights. You must have facts and do evidence-based actions. They just say ‘this old woman is big headed.’”

“Single mother of 2, recently widowed.

School director; Rukararwe partnership manager; supports environmental protection, women’s groups, youth and widows’ rights; aids others with traditional medicine.

Studied management at Kyambogo university and started working at Rukararwe where she was one of two women on staff. She was the youngest but was in top management.

Married in 2014 and lost her husband in 2017. He left her with a 2-year-old school and she’s had to do aggressive marketing to maintain the school. She doubled enrollment within one year after losing her husband. Her biggest challenge is men (old friends of her husband, relatives, etc.) who think she can’t lead and want to take over. But when her husband was around, they did everything together. She did not inherit anything from him; they acquired all their achievements as a team.

‘You have to be yourself. You don’t just go with the crowd. You have to believe in you and then get advice from the right people.’”

Single mother of 8, farmer. Brews local beer.

Was tortured and imprisoned for protests against grabbing their land. Participated in a protest where they stripped naked, a cultural omen that deterred their oppressors. Their crops, houses, etc. were bulldozed and this forced her to become an activist.

Omutambi, part of Abatambi, traditional healers, at Rukararwe. Specializes in traditional medicine for children. Mother of 8. Widowed in 2000 when her first child had just finished secondary school. Had nothing; no land, no house. Her husband had been an alcoholic. She had to lead the family alone, educate her 8 children, and be the best at what she does, trekking forests and hills, looking for traditional medicine for children.

“You have to let people be, because they’ll always want to insult you. I’m a man and a woman. I’m not a destitute widow.”

Mother of 9, pre-marital counselor. Helps brides-to-be to prepare for marriage. Teaches women and children songs about social and political change. She has taught people over 60 songs that she wrote. Also teaches people traditional instruments like the thumb piano. She’s the chairperson of Awei Women’s Network Against Land Grabbing.

“We wanted to sensitize people nationally with our songs. So we started the group. We realised we could get support to do the things we believe in… we decided to use our voices to express our anger against our oppressors.”

PATIENCE NITUMWESIGA & SHUA WILMOT

Patience Nitumwesiga, the director of a feminist art company based in Uganda, is the photographer of this gallery. All her life she has lived in Uganda where she has been utilizing art to create social change. Shua Wilmot, the gallery editor, is also a social activist and former Lancaster City resident.