By James Alomu 

Soroti city: The long-anticipated belated Women’s Day celebrations in Soroti City have been put on hold due to planning and logistical setbacks, city officials have confirmed.

Ayipo Claire, the Deputy Resident City Commissioner (RCC) for the Eastern Division and Chairperson of the event's preparation committee, stated that the city is not prepared to host the event as originally planned to be tomorrow 9th,may,2025

“According to our assessment, we are not ready to proceed with the celebration. We need more time to organize ourselves and bring all key stakeholders on board,” Claire said during an interview.

She emphasized the importance of inclusive participation, noting that the event should represent all categories of women from those in public service and uniformed forces to women in rural communities.

“The issues of women are not limited to one group. We must ensure that every woman, regardless of her background or profession, is involved and celebrated,” she added.

Claire dismissed the notion that political interference played a role in the delay, instead attributing the setback to personal interests and a lack of collective coordination.

“This is not a political issue. It’s about individualism , people pursuing their own interests in what should be a collective cause. Women’s Day is about all of us, not a few individuals,” she said.

She called for calm and patience among the public, especially women, assuring them that the community will soon reconvene to choose a suitable date for the celebration that aligns with the city’s capacity.

“We are committed to hosting this celebration in a manner that reflects unity, inclusiveness, and proper planning,” she concluded.

Joan Alobo Acom, the woman mp for Soroti city expressed frustration over the lack of organization surrounding the belated women's day celebration,In recent statement,she clarified that it was not an issue of individualism but rather a result of naive thinking,where some committee members expected her to fully fund the event.

Alobo noted that the committee remained silent and failed to take responsibility,neglecting to send letters to the city and parade organizers,nor did they make any efforts to collect funds for the events.She emphasized that such expectations were unrealistic,as the financial burden should have been collective responsibility.

International Women’s Day is officially marked on March 8 every year, but local governments across Uganda often hold belated celebrations to allow wider participation. Soroti’s event was one such occasion intended to recognize the achievements and contributions of women in the region.