Christopher Kisekka: Jorine Najjemba, a 20-year-old Senior Six vacist and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidate for the Wakiso Woman Member of Parliament seat, defied expectations and challenged the status quo. But her journey into politics has been anything but smooth.
In an exclusive interview with The Other Voice, Najjemba shared her harrowing experiences of cyberbullying, sexual harassment, and the harsh realities of a male-dominated arena that she never anticipated when she decided to run for office.
Najjemba, from Nkowe in Wakiso, first made headlines in August 2025 when she picked nomination forms to run for president in the 2026 general elections. At the time, she was inspired by a desire to address youth unemployment, corruption, and inequality – issues that resonate deeply with Uganda’s young population, where over 70 percent are under 30 years old.
However, facing logistical and financial hurdles, she pivoted to the parliamentary race, securing her nomination on October 22, 2025, under the FDC banner.
“I wanted to be a voice for the voiceless,” she told The Other Voice, her eyes reflecting a mix of determination and weariness. “But I didn’t know politics would expose me to such ugliness. “Uganda’s political scene has long been fraught with challenges for women.
According to a 2022 report by Pollicy, an organization focused on digital rights, online violence against women in politics (OVAW-P) surged during the 2021 elections, with forms including offensive name-calling, sexual harassment, and threats of violence. The report documented how African women politicians, particularly in Uganda, face amplified abuse that discourages participation.
A 2023 CNN feature highlighted how Ugandan women leaders are targeted with hate speech under the Computer Misuse Act, which was amended in 2022 to include hate speech but has been criticized for inconsistent enforcement. Rest of World reported in 2021 that harassment often keeps women offline, limiting their visibility in a digital age where social media is crucial for campaigning.
For Najjemba, the bullying began almost immediately after her presidential ambitions went public. “As soon as my name was out there, my phone started blowing up with unsolicited messages,” she recounted, fidgeting with her hands. “Strangers on WhatsApp, Twitter, and Facebook sending me explicit photos, propositions, and threats.”
“They call me ‘naïve girl’ or worse, saying I am too young, too pretty to be in politics, that I should stay home and get married.” She paused, her voice cracking slightly. “One message said, ‘If you don’t withdraw, we’ll make sure you regret it.’ It’s not just words; it feels like they’re watching me.” Cyberbullying is a pervasive issue in Ugandan politics, especially for women.
A 2025 Daily Monitor article noted that ahead of the 2026 elections, women politicians are increasingly staying offline due to fear of harassment. Ruth Aritua, a women’s rights advocate, was quoted as saying, “Many women are staying offline even though visibility in politics is crucial. They fear cyberbullying and harassment.”
Womens Voices Now, in a recent piece, detailed how Ugandan women politicians endure demeaning comments and threats, often amplified by anonymous trolls. Najjemba’s experience mirrors this: “I’ve had to block hundreds of numbers. Some even create fake accounts to spread rumours about my personal life, calling me immoral or questioning my motives. It’s exhausting.”
But the abuse isn’t confined to the digital world. Najjemba described encounters with supporters and established politicians that crossed into sexual exploitation.
“When I knock on doors asking for support, endorsements, funding, advice, they see me as easy prey,” she said.
“One senior politician, whom I won’t name yet, invited me to a meeting and spent the whole time making inappropriate advances. He said, ‘You’re young and fresh; politics is give and take.’ Others, even from my own party circles, hint that success comes with ‘favours.’
Supporters at rallies grab my hand too long or whisper things that make my skin crawl. Everyone seems to want something from me, not my ideas, but me.”
This pattern of sexual harassment is well-documented in Ugandan politics. A 2023 study by the Prevention Collaborative on online gender-based violence in Uganda revealed that many women close their social media accounts to avoid stigma, with harassment including stalking and sexual threats. WAN-IFRA’s 2020 profile of journalist Ruth Atim highlighted how reporting sexual harassment often goes unaddressed, a reality that extends to politicians.
Najjemba admitted these realities were a shock. “Before entering politics, I thought it was about debates, policies, and helping people. I never knew it was this predatory. In school, we learned about democracy, but not the underbelly – the sexism, the bullying. As a young woman, they underestimate me, but that naïveté they mock is what drives me. I’ve seen how corruption and poor governance affect my peers: no jobs, rising costs, and police brutality. I want to change that.”
To cope, her family has stepped in. “My parents were worried sick,” she said. “They hired a trusted relative to accompany me everywhere, to rallies, meetings, even door-to-door campaigns. He’s like a bodyguard, ensuring I am not alone with anyone suspicious. Sadly, it has to be this way, but it’s necessary.”
This measure echoes broader calls for protection; a 2025 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) blog on technology-facilitated violence against women leaders in the Pacific noted similar issues globally, urging better safeguards. Despite the ordeals, Najjemba remains resolute. “I’m not quitting,” she asserted. “This abuse shows why we need more young women in politics to break the cycle. We need to push for stricter laws on harassment and digital safety.”
