Pumla Kisosonkole Explained

Pumla Ellen Ngozwana Kisosonkole (1911–1997) was a Ugandan politician and activist in women's organizations.

Biography

Pumla Ellen Ngozwana

Pumla Ellen Ngozwana
Birth Place:South African
Nationality:South Africa
Citizenship:Uganda
Education:University of Fort Hare
Alma Mater:University of Fort Hare
Spouse:Christopher Kisosonkole in 1939

was born in South Africa in 1911 to Methodist church ministers.[1] She received education at mission schools and attended the University of Fort Hare in Alice, Eastern Cape.[2] She travelled to London, furthering her education at the Institute of Education.[3] She then wrote the pamphlet "Education as I Saw It in England".[4]

She married Ugandan Christopher Kisosonkole in 1939. They moved to Uganda, where Pumla became involved in politics. She spent eight years as a senior community development officer and taught at King's College Budo. In 1956 she was nominated to the Uganda Legislative Council (LEGCO) of the Protectorate Government.[5] She was the first African woman to enter the legislative council.[6] She served as a representative in the legislature during Uganda's transition from a British colony to independence.[7] She started a four-year stretch as president of the Uganda Council of Women in 1957. She was the first African to serve in that role. From 1959 to 1962 she was president of the International Council of Women. Prime Minister Milton Obote appointed her to Uganda's delegation to the United Nations in 1963. In the 1960s she was also a literary expert with UNESCO.

Pumla Kisosonkole died in 1997.

Notes and References

  1. News: Lubega. Henry. The pioneers of women movements in Uganda. Daily Monitor. 8 March 2015.
  2. Book: Sheldon, Kathleen E.. Historical Dictionary of Women in Sub-Saharan Africa. 2005. Scarecrow Press . Lanham, MD . 978-0-8108-5331-7. en.
  3. Book: Tripp. Aili Mari. Aili M. Tripp. Kwesiga. Joy C.. The Women's Movement in Uganda: History, Challenges, and Prospects. 2002. Fountain Publishers. Kampala. 978-9970-02-340-0. 32–34, 204.
  4. Book: Miller. Kim. Dictionary of African Biography. 2012. Oxford University Press. Oxford. 978-0-19-538207-5. 393. https://books.google.com/books?id=39JMAgAAQBAJ&pg=RA2-PA393. Kisosonkole, Pumla.
  5. Book: Sheldon. Kathleen. Historical dictionary of women in Sub-Saharian Africa. 2005. Scarecrow Press. Lanham (Maryland). 978-0-8108-5331-7. 120–121. December 1, 2015.
  6. Book: Tamale. Sylvia. When Hens Begin to Crow: Gender and Parliamentary Politics in Uganda. 1999. Westview Press. Boulder, Colorado. 978-0-8133-3896-5. 10.
  7. Web site: Kisosonkole, Pumla. 2020-08-21. Oxford African American Studies Center. 2011. en. 10.1093/acref/9780195301731.013.49178. Miller. Kim. 9780195301731.