IN a significant step onto the global stage, the Shalom Women Development Network (SWODN) on 5th May 2026 was represented in the United States at a high-level and deeply reflective gathering whose conversations were focused on trauma, resilience, and advocacy.
The event, organized by the Consulate General of Israel in New York, was in collaboration with the Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel. This one-day gathering brought together thought leaders, activists, and members of the Jewish community in different parts of the globe for an intimate evening of conversation and reflection.
Representing SWODN was its founder and CEO, Sarah Nakintu, who traveled from Uganda in East Africa to participate in the event. Nakintu also serves as vice president of the Sub-Saharan African Jewish Alliance (SAJA), which is a coalition of communities from more than 13 countries in Africa. Aside from being the newly proposed Maccabi African Confederation (MAC) coordinator for Eastern Africa, Sarah is also a respectable woman’s leader at Beit Tzion Hamitzvot Jewish Community in Mukono, a congregation within the Abayudaya network, on the outskirts of Kampala, the capital.
Back in Uganda, SWODN is a grassroots-driven nonprofit organization committed to empowering women, children, and vulnerable communities through programs focused on inclusion, development, and dignity. Nakintu herself has played a significant role in both community leadership and advocating for education and the rights of women through radio speaking programs.
She will also be remembered for her recent leadership during a mega Passover matzah baking initiative, which brought together representatives from 29 Jewish communities in Uganda. The effort provided locally made matzah and wine for the festival, ensuring that families from multiple regions across the country could fully participate in the celebration. Drawing from her years of experience in baking challah and matzah, she worked closely with the Kulanu mission, helping deliver festival essentials for synagogues and households in Africa and beyond.
The evening in New York featured a powerful dialogue with Orit Sulitzeanu, CEO of the Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel, alongside Israeli actress and social activist Mili Avital. Together, they addressed the ongoing impact of October 7th and regional tensions, while shedding light on the realities faced by survivors of sexual violence. Their conversation offered not only insight but also a call to greater awareness and global solidarity.
Set within the gallery space of What Stayed With Me, a solo exhibition by Yehudit Feinstein, the evening carried deep emotional weight. Curator Udi Urman guided attendees through expressive works that explored memory, trauma, and resilience, inviting them into a space of reflection and understanding.
For Nakintu, the moment also carried personal meaning. Having previously visited Israel, she has actively worked to strengthen connections between African Jewish communities and Israel, including organizing cultural exchanges and educational programs that highlight the shared heritage and experiences of these communities. She was instrumental in inviting the former Israeli ambassador to Uganda, Michael Lotem, to a Zionist event when ZIMU was launched in Mukono: Uganda’s Historic Inclusion in the World Zionist Congress on the 9th of June, 2025. It was another wonderful experience to meet the current Israeli ambassador in New York during the gathering, according to her.
“Being in New York and meeting Yuval Donio-Gideon, the Israeli Ambassador was a truly special moment for me. I was honored to share about Jewish life in Uganda, and to speak about the work of SAJA, the role of Kulanu in supporting African communities, and the vision of SWODN. It was a fantastic gathering—one that affirmed that our stories, our communities, and our voices are part of the global Jewish future.”
Sarah also expressed deep appreciation for the warm welcome she received upon her arrival in the United States, on a maiden trip, noting the kindness and hospitality extended to her from the moment she landed through her journey to the conference venue. She particularly acknowledged the support of Tanya Gilboa, Director of Communication and Relationships at the Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel, who conveyed enthusiasm about fostering future collaborations and strengthening ties between Jewish organizations in the United States, Israel, and African Jewish communities.
This moment marks a significant advancement as the Shalom Women Development Network, SWODN, continues to broaden its reach. From Mukono to New York, the organization is building bridges—ensuring that African Jewish voices are not only present but actively shaping global conversations on justice, healing, and unity.