Rita Aciro is a Ugandan human rights defender and Executive Director for Uganda Women's Network (UWONET).

She was the recipient of the 2021 European Union Human Rights Defenders Award.

[6] She entered Uganda women's network (UWONET) as an intern in 1997.

[6] Aciro has worked with communities and governments in East Africa on issues concerning girls and women leadership, women land rights, combating gender based violence, women peace building, civic and voter education plus election observation.

[2][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] She has over 20 years of experience being at the forefront of advocacy and campaigning on the rights of women and girls.