3. Contents
3 6 8
Message from Securing the future “I Have Been the Voice for
the President of the Girl Child the Voiceless” - Kadaga
4 Minister’s Message
Foreword by the
5 Permanent Secretary
A Tribute to the
10 Development Partners
Women Organizations:
16 From Humble Beginnings
to a force to reckon with
12 WOMEN EMANCIPATION MOVEMENT IN UGANDA
20
Women’s contribution to
CONSTITUTIONALISM
Judiciary Promotes
22 Gender Sensitivity
Engaging Men and Boys
24 in Gender Equality
Addressing Gender
25 based Violence
Profiles of 50 Women
26 Achievers
14 EVOLUTION OF THE NATIONAL WOMEN’S MACHINERY
UGANDA WOMAN March - September 2012 1
4. UGANDA WOMAN
Published by;
Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social
Development,
P.O. Box 7136,
www. Mglsd.ug.co
Kampala, Uganda.
Managing Editor: Jane Sanyu Mpagi
Deputy Managing Editor: Mondo Kyateka
Editor: Pamela Irene Batenga
Consulting Editor: Ikebesi Ochole Omoding
Editorial Administrator: Jane Ekapu
Contributors:
Lominda Afedraru, Frank Batema, Betty Bigombe, 18 The Domestic Relations Bill:
HOW IT HAS EVOLVED
Namirembe Bitamazire, Alice Emasu, Laureen
Karayi, Joanita Kawalya, Maggie Kigozi, Lillian
Kiwanuka, Sandra Komuhiimbo, Mary Maitum, 34 Ugandan Women/Girls
close Education gap
Ann Mugisa, Wangwe Mulakha, Sarah Muwanga,
Proscovia Nalweyiso, Carol Namagembe, Dennis
Obbo, Margaret Sentamu, Victoria Ssekitoleko,
Olivia Ssentumbwe, Emma Were Tinka, Hilda 36 WOMEN AND LAND OWNERSHIP:
STATUS AND PROPOSED FUTURE INTERVENTIONS
Twongerweire, Joseph Walugembe
Contributing MGLSD Staff:
Cecilia Ajom, Annet Kabarungi, Juliana Kuruhiira,
38 Women’s Role in Agricultural Development
Elizabeth Kyasiimire, Maggie Mabweijjano,
Cornelius Magara, Susan Muwanga, Collin
Mwijuka, Hadijah Namuddu, Simon Omoding,
40 Women Investing in the Future
Crescent Tirinawe
42 Maternal Health in Uganda
Layout and Graphics: Paul Wambi
Printing: Ashek Systems 44 Women make gains in Armed Forces
46 Women in Conflict Management
Cover Picture: A photo montage of women who have
48 The Journey of Media Women in Uganda
been at the forefront of women's empowerment in
Uganda since independence.
Inside Front: The 2008 Uganda Women swimmers 50 The Advance of Women Sport in Uganda
Olympic team.
52
Inside back: International Women's Day painting
Back cover: Poster illustration of the International History of Women in Entertainment in Uganda
Women's Day 2012, by Giovanina Colalillo (Canada)
53 Empowering Women to get Clean Water
54 Transforming Women’s Lives:
the Change we want to See
2 UGANDA WOMAN March - September 2012
5. Message from the President
I would like to congratulate all the women of Uganda of the women’s walk from socially and politically
upon reaching this important International Women’s constructed bondage to freedom and empowerment.
Day of March 8th 2012. As you know, women This magazine is timely especially because it coincides
constitute 51% of Uganda’s population and, therefore, with Uganda’s Golden Jubilee celebrations.
they are essential to Uganda’s development.
Therefore, as we celebrate the International Women’s
On January 29th 1986, when I took my first Presidential Day, our most critical undertaking must be that
Oath, I offered to serve the people of Uganda and of consolidating our gains and building on the
release them from bad governance. I have since put achievements so far made to fully transform our society
in place an ideologically oriented and democratic from a pre-industrial to a modern, industrial and self-
leadership in which everybody participates. For that sustaining economy. As a revolutionary, I believe that
reason, women have been given an opportunity to take for us to sustain our political, economic and social
leadership positions at all levels of Government right gains, our struggle must remain people-centered and
from LC1. follow a correct and popular ideology and strategies as
articulated in the NRM Manifesto and the National
You will recall that I assured Ugandans and the entire Development Plan.
world that the NRA/NRM’s coming to power was not
a mere change of guards but a fundamental change. It is for these reasons that we are investing a significant
Now, 26 years down the road, right thinking people amount of money in the various sectors in order
are able to see the irreversible developments that the to build a competent, equitable and competitive
NRM revolution has created. My job as President has indigenous labour-force.
been and remains that of laying strategies for people-
centered policies. As head of Government, I pledge my continued and
total commitment to the eradication of all forms of
On this day, when we take stock of the achievements discrimination against our women.
registered so far, I join all of you in celebrating the
monumental progress that has been made to empower For God and My Country
and emancipate the women of Uganda. I testify that
the women of Uganda have been a formidable pillar
behind the success of the NRM Government.
Yoweri K. Museveni
The Uganda Woman magazine is a candid account
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA
UGANDA WOMAN March - September 2012 3
6. Minister’s Message
Women of Uganda, I take this opportunity to congratulate
you for making a significant contribution to the 50 years
of Uganda’s Independence.
On this International Women’s day, 8th March, 2012,
I call upon all of you to join all Ugandans to celebrate
what we, as the women of Uganda, have achieved so far
in the development process of this country. Although we
acknowledge the challenges in the past and the challenges
to come, we are aware that all our triumphs are but a result
of overcoming difficulties that were previously considered
as insurmountable.
As the State Minister of Gender and Cultural Affairs, it is
my responsibility to inform you that this Ministry exists
to promote the participation in and benefit from the
development process of both women and men. I am very
pleased to note that the women of Uganda have made their
contribution in response to the significant steps taken by
the NRM Government to ensure that the participation of
both men and women in the development process is at par.
I am delighted that the Ministry has instituted a
mouthpiece- the Uganda Woman magazine through
which the contributions of women to the development
process will be continuously recognised and showcased.
In this maiden issue, we have published the stories of
women who have together with our male counterparts sectors as you will discover when you read the stories in
built Uganda from a Colonial Territory into the regional the magazine but I know that there is still some distance
power that it is today. It is for this reason that Uganda will to cover. It is also our responsibility to sustain the gains
be celebrating its Golden Jubilee. that have been achieved over the years especially during
the period that the NRM has been at the steering of this
I take this opportunity to thank His Excellency, President country.
Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, for his wise leadership which
has propelled women to a better level, and in addition, for I call upon your contributions and constructive criticisms
his acceptance to inaugurate this magazine. to the magazine so that it can become a worthy mouthpiece
for the girls and women of Uganda.
Furthermore, I wish to thank the women achievers, who
we have profiled in the magazine most sincerely, for not Finally, I wish to thank all of those who have played a part
only accepting to share their stories with all Ugandans, in organizing the International Women’s Day this year and
but also for the sacrifices they made for this country. In over the years. Your role in empowering girls and women
the same vein, I wish to thank the journalists and all the in Uganda is hereby recognised.
technical people with whom we have worked to produce Fellow women, I, on behalf of Government, pledge
this historic magazine. sustained support towards promoting gender equality and
I would also like to thank the United Nations Joint women’s empowerment in the development process.
Programme for partnering with us in the production of this
magazine and equally appreciate the various initiatives of
like-minded development partners, women organisations
and the Civil Society as a whole. Rukia Nakadama Isanga
MINISTER OF STATE FOR GENDER AND
Fellow Ugandans, I call upon you to join our struggle in CULTURAL AFFAIRS
the promotion of girls' and women’s empowerment. I am
aware that we have achieved milestones in the various
4 UGANDA WOMAN March - September 2012
7. Foreword by the Permanent Secretary
Celebrating a half century of achievement by and for the
women of Uganda is what this maiden issue of the Uganda
Woman magazine is all about. Hence, its launch has been
scheduled to coincide with the commemoration of the
International Women’s Day on 8th March 2012.
In publishing this magazine, the Ministry of Gender,
Labour and Social Development is contributing to
the events and activities to mark Uganda’s 50 years of
Independence. The magazine pays tribute to the women
who have made a contribution to Uganda’s development.
Their tireless efforts led to the review of the marriage
laws, the reduction of gender disparities in education and
politics, the removal of wage disparities between men and
women and gave the women in the country the right to
vote as early as 1962, when women elsewhere were not yet
allowed to vote.
Further, the magazine presents the status of women in the
various sectors today and presents suggestions on what else
needs to be done.
Uganda Woman magazine is one of the publications in the
history of the Ministry devoted to gender and women’s
concerns. The first publication was a newsletter entitled
Womenews which was published between 1990 and 1995. It is the Ministry’s expectation that the magazine provides
politicians, policy makers and the public at large with
In conforming to the shift in policy from Women in information geared towards empowering women.
Development (WID) to Gender and Development
(GAD), the Ministry published the Gender Bulletin in
2000. The bulletin differed from the newsletter; while
the newsletter emphasized Ministry activities, the Gender
Bulletin presented analytical articles on policy issues,
programmes and approaches.
Christine Guwatudde Kintu
The Ministry also published a quarterly magazine entitled PERMANENT SECRETARY
Community Dialogue which in addition to promoting
the community dialogue approach to development,
highlighted important issues such as gender based violence,
culture, maternal health and human rights among others.
Uganda Woman will be published bi-annually and will
be distributed all over the country in tandem with the
communication strategy of the Ministry. The magazine
is supported by the United Nations Joint Programme
(UNJP) on Gender Equality. UNJP is a programme
designed to bring together stakeholders from Government
sectors, Civil Society and the Private Sector to identify
and address inequalities between men and women.
UGANDA WOMAN March - September 2012 5
8. New Vision Photo
Securing the future
of the Girl Child
By Mondo Kyateka not have a sweater or any other cloth parish, that I overcame that dark cloud
to cover herself with, like most of her in my life.”
“Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures” friends.
Today at 77 years, Mbire, is one of
is the theme for this year’s International
When her mother saw her daughter Uganda's most powerful women with
Women’s Day celebrations. For this
suffering in the rain, she took pity on her an impressive resume. Over the years
Uganda is already on track by its
and removed the omwenda cloth, the she has run some of the most successful
gender sensitivity to women’s issues.
only one she possessed and was wearing businesses, held important public offices
The celebrations will be held in Nebbi
on top of her dress, and tossed it to her and mentored many other successful
District. This year’s women’s day is of
daughter at the back of the lorry. business women and men in Uganda.
particular significance because Uganda
is celebrating 50 years of Independence. Mbire received it with a sunken heart Mbire's is an example of a woman, who
but her mother’s kind gesture of love as a girl, rose from extreme poverty to
Uganda has many testimonies about
touched her greatly. She secretly vowed achieve global acclaim. Her formula
women’s empowerment from its
to success is; prayer, hard work, self-
Colonial and post-Independence
confidence, integrity and risk taking.
periods. In her book, "Shaping of a
Destiny", Thereza Mbire narrated her That several women in Uganda have
inspirational life. The last born of eight overcome insurmountable challenges
children, Mbire grew up in a traditional and continued to dominate the social,
society, which believed that girls were academic, political, economic and
meant to take care of the home. When religious spectrum to lead several
at six years she sneaked to school at organizations is a clear indication that
Rushoroza, her elder brother beat her girls and women can perform equally as
up for disobedience. Then, girls were well as boys and men.
not allowed to attend school. It was
This realization is important for
only after the intervention of a catechist
inspiring girls’ futures. The UN’s theme
that she continued schooling. Theresa Mbiire is an advice to families and communities
On hindsight, this intervention to inspire girls by involving and
salvaged her from poverty. A small but to herself that one day, she would repay encouraging them to participate
touching incident, then, amplified her her mother generously. “It was at that actively, effectively and equally with
family’s poverty. One day, while heading moment that the level of our poverty boys at all levels of social, political and
back to school from Kabale to Virika in dawned on me and dismayed me greatly. cultural leadership.
Fort Portal on the back of an open lorry, That action troubled me for the rest
of my life. It was not until I built my Education is key to the empowerment of
it started raining very heavily. She did
mother a house and moved her from the women and the girl child. Thus achieving
6 UGANDA WOMAN March - September 2012
9. gender equality in education, and in per 100 live births, it is still below while fetching water for domestic and
the Ugandan society, is a basic human the Millennium Development Goals productive uses. Therefore, women
right. Benefits through education are (MDGs) target in reducing maternal and girls should be supported to secure
well known and ably illustrated by mortality to 131 death per 100,000 live water for achieving food security and
Mbire’s testimony. Economic benefits birth by 2015. improved livelihoods. To improve
include higher income growth, higher access to safe water in rural areas
The Government has put in place
wages and more productive farming. where the majority of women live, the
measures to address this trend and
Investing in girls’ education and skills Government’s target of overall access to
interventions to inspire adolescent girls
training yields dividends and enables safe water is 1.5kms in rural areas. This
to access sexual and reproductive health
them to articulate their views. Girls who target has been realised at a level of 65%.
information and services to enable
have been educated are likely to marry The target is to increase access to safe
them take control of their sexual and
at a later date and to have smaller and water in rural areas to 77% by 2015 and
reproductive lives. These include; family
healthier families. 100% in urban areas by the same period.
All challenges in the education sector Government also has focused on
that hinder girls’ education must construction of gravity flow schemes
be addressed by Government, all and piped water supply sources among
stakeholders, parents, the community other things to improve access to safe
and teachers. The gender stereotypes water in rural areas.
depicted in curricula, educational
Other actions that should be undertaken
materials and practices, teachers’
by different stakeholders to secure a
attitudes and classroom interaction
better future for girls include:
affect girls’ motivation to pursue
• Increased awareness creation on
scientific and technological training.
MGLSD Photo
the disadvantaged situation of girls
A national strategy for girls’ education among stakeholders at all levels;
was formulated and addresses the gender • Make the girl child, particularly
issues identified as major reasons for girls Children listening attentively those in difficult circumstances,
dropping out of school. This strategy is aware of their potential;
complemented by the early childhood
education and the infrastructure and planning, safe motherhood and male • Educate them about their rights
sanitation policies which enable girls involvement in reproductive health. guaranteed by international human
to complete primary school while rights instruments, including the
Despite these efforts, challenges still
still young. The infrastructure and Convention on the Rights of the
exist in ensuring access to quality health
sanitation policy promotes gender Child and the Constitution;
services and promoting utilization
sensitive sanitation facilities to cater of key health services including the • Enact legislation for girls and
for girls’ needs including children with challenge to reduce the maternal and institute various measures to
special needs. infant mortality ratios to meet the improve her status;
Government has since 2004 introduced MDG targets. Gender disparities • The media, religious and
the science policy in a bid to promote still exist between women and men. community leaders should embrace
skills acquisition and encourage girls to The Uganda National Health Survey the campaign to protect the rights
take on science subjects. Studies indicate (UNHS) 2005/06 estimated that of the girl child;
that girls participate less and perform women constitute of 43.9% of the sick
• Encourage women, men, girls and
poorer than their male counterparts in population in rural areas in comparison
boys to promote the girls' status;
sciences. to men who account for 39.4%.
• Facilitate the equal provision of
Further, Government policy of Educated women can recognize the appropriate services and devices to
an additional 1.5 points for girls importance of health care and know girls with disabilities and provide
joining tertiary institutions is a good how to seek it for themselves and their families with related support
inspiration. Adult literacy education their children. Health workers should services; and,
also did a lot to educate the women to provide health education and other
health service to enable them deal • Support youth Non Government
read and write. Organisations in their efforts
with their sexuality. This knowledge
Women and girls' health and the helps girls avoid HIV and AIDS, early to promote the equality and
related sexual and reproductive rights marriages, early pregnancies and the participation of girls in society.
continue to be a concern, and have risk of maternal death associated with
been aggravated by the HIV and AIDS difficult early child-bearing which [Co-authored with Emma Were Tinka,
pandemic. Although the number of severely curtails their educational and Public Affairs Officer, Uganda Media
women who die due to pregnancy employment opportunities. Centre]
complications declined from 505 in
2001 to 435 per 100,000 in 2006, Traditionally, the role to collect water Mondo Kyateka is Assistant
and the children who die before their for domestic use is a responsibility for Commissioner Youth, Ministry
first birth day reduced from 88 to 75 females, especially the girl child. They of Gender, Labour and Social
walk long distances and take long hours Development
UGANDA WOMAN March - September 2012 7
10. INTERVIEW
“I Have been
the Voice for
the Voiceless”
- Kadaga
The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, is the first female Speaker of the House.
In an interview with Uganda Woman she speaks about her life, experience, achievements and challenges
Question: Can you tell us about for a master’s degree in Women’s Law. I Q: What have been your
your early life. am a product of Civil Society in the sense achievements?
that before I joined politics I was the
Answer: I am the third born in my president of FIDA [The International A: One of them is the legal aid service;
family. My parents were Civil Servants, Federation of Women Lawyers- Uganda it was the first one in the country, now
my mother was a teacher and my Chapter]. One of the things I did was the Army and the Uganda Law Society
father was working with the Central to start the legal aid services for poor have started legal aid services as well. It
Government. people, to get representation; this was enabled lay people to learn about the
on 5th March 1988, at Udyam House. law and enabled women to have a voice
We lived partly in Entebbe and Naguru
The Guest of Honour was the-then in the public domain. I am a role model
in Kampala. I went to Shimoni
Chief Justice, Justice W.W.Wambuzi. for many young people. Some new MPs
Demonstration School from 1962 to
I continued with advocacy for human [Members of Parliament] confessed
1968. I was the first African pupil there.
rights, and then joined the National that I inspired them.
I was then joined by Irene Zikusoka and
the late [Erinayo] Oryema’s children. Resistance Council (Parliament) in I was also the first woman in Uganda to
1989, worked as minister for Regional have law chambers which I opened in
After Primary Seven, I went to St. Co-operation, Communication; 1982. I enjoyed the Court battles.
Catherine Girl’s school in Northern minister for Parliamentary Affairs,
Uganda from 1969-1972. At the time, before I became the Deputy Speaker. Q: What have been your most
Government was starting up a new girls’ challenging moments?
school in Lira so they collected girls Q: What challenges do you face as
from all over Uganda to start the new Speaker? A: During the election period, you
Senior One. From 1973 to 1974, I was A: Fulfilling the expectations of the spend a lot of time looking for money;
in Kamuli College, Namasagali, where people of Uganda which are exceedingly you are also subjected to insults and
I was the best student; and no one has high. lies. The biggest challenge is intrigue.
broken my record in that school since. I You think that you are doing work in
Q: Do you think you were elected good faith and yet you are surrounded
scored ABBE and a-3 in General Paper.
because of affirmative action? by people who are plotting against you
Later, I joined Makerere University for
a law degree; and Law Development A: No. I was elected because I was the every day. It is one of the challenges we
Centre for a diploma in legal practice. I best, not because of affirmative action. have in the public life.
then joined the University of Zimbabwe
8 UGANDA WOMAN March - September 2012
11. INTERVIEW
Q: How do you deal with the women of Uganda had post-tertiary Q: Have women reached 30%
problem of intrigue? education. So you can see that we still parity level in Parliament?
have a lot to do in order to bridge the
A: I handle this by focusing on my gap. A: We are now 34%. The target is
work and doing things the right way. 50%. Even our neighbours in SADC
Although we have reached this level, I Q: Ugandan women have [Southern African Development
can assure that some parts of this society made gains in terms of women Conference] haven’t yet achieved it.
don’t believe that women should be in empowerment compared to other
positions like these at all. We still live in African countries. What do you Q: Is it time for women to contest
a chauvinistic society despite the gains attribute this success to? for the Presidency?
the women have made. So many men A: If you look around the Continent,
don’t want us in these places. They look A: We have a gender sensitive
Constitution. Although there is still Liberia has the first woman president.
at us as imposters; they try to frustrate I think in the next fifty years, women
our work and make us appear inefficient. resistance in some quarters, women are
still making more demands based on should be more visible at higher levels.
Q: What do you think has been their rights and eventually doors will Q: About your childhood
your impact on governance? have to open for them. experiences, what do you think
A: I have been a voice for those with Q: If you were to re-live your life, helped you to get where you are?
no voice in the public domain. I have what do you think you would have A: I was not a typical Ugandan child.
spoken out on issues that affect the done better? My parents were Civil Servants; we had
population. I stay focused on the water, electricity; I would travel in a
public interest, even when we are doing A: I don’t think I would change
anything. bus, on the days I had not eaten [spent]
legislation; I have kept focus on the the money. On the day I had eaten the
interest of minorities. money I would walk across Nyonyi
Q: Who are your role models?
Q: Over the last fifty years, how Gardens in Kololo. At break time we
has governance evolved and how A: Ernesto Che Guevara, the took milk with something to eat.
Argentinean revolutionary who fought
have women contributed to it? Also, I never failed English. I read an
for rights of poor people in Latin
Enid Blyton novel each day.
A: There has been quite a transition America and died in Bolivia; then, great
over the last fifty years. If you look at the women like Golda Meir, the former Q: What is your recommendation
Uganda National Council of Women, Prime Minister of Israel; Indira Ghandi for girls to stay longer in school?
they started advocating for a better life [former Prime Minister of India];
from the 60’s, e.g., in the LEGICO Margaret Thatcher [former British A: Government should ensure that
[Legislative Council], there were only Prime Minister], among others. In schools are near them, water is available
two female members initially. Today, Uganda, the late Mrs. Rebecca Mulira, so that they don’t have to walk long
there is a change; there are more than Joyce Mpanga, Sarah Nyendoha Ntiro, distances; have libraries for them; and
100 women in Parliament. Sugra Visram and Florence Lubega who parents should take interest in their
was the Parliamentary Secretary, are my education.
Twenty years ago, it was difficult to find
role models. Q: Can you update us on the
a woman leader even at the lowest level
- even at Local Council I. They didn’t Q: How has the 50 years of Domestic Relations Bill?
have the confidence to contest. So I Independence impacted on you? A: We are waiting for the reprint. We
think women have made a contribution hope to pass it before June 2012. On my
and given a new face to governance. A: It opened opportunities which I have
been able to take up. I don’t think that initiative, the Bill was saved from the
Q: Do you think women are closing at the time of Independence any one 8th Parliament.
the gap on education and taking thought that there would be a woman Q: Is there anything you would like
up challenging assignments? Speaker in the country. Education has to communicate to Ugandans?
enabled us to speak and think better.
A: I don’t know whether we are closing A: Lighten the workload for the women
the gap in education. If you take a census by giving them energy saving stoves so
Q: What in your opinion is the way
of the infrastructure in the country, you that they can cook quickly and have
find that for every ten boys’ schools, forward for women in Uganda?
time to rest and look after their children;
there is one girls’ school. A: Women should be factored in the ensure that water is brought nearer to
For instance, since 1922, Makerere planning process of Government. Their the women so that they don’t have to
University still has two halls of voices should be heard right from the walk long distances. I would also like to
residence for women and 10 for men; villages. Today, there are insufficient see Health Centre IIs’ in every parish so
Kyambogo and other universities have women facilities in tertiary institutions that the women can access them easily.
fewer facilities for women, meaning because there are no women to advocate
that we are making progress but are not for them in the ministries. Currently, The Rt. Hon. Rebecca Alitwala
closing the gap. 95% of the people in the planning Kadaga is also Women
meetings are men so they decide for the Representative Member of
In the last census, only 2.5% of the women. Parliament, Kamuli
UGANDA WOMAN March - September 2012 9
12. A TRIBUTE TO DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS
A Tribute to the
Development Partners
By Maggie M. Kyomukama United Nation Capital Development In 2006, the ministry became a part
and Dennis Obbo Fund (UNCDF) and Habitat. of the overall programme of support
from UNFPA. Under the 6th Country
In the 50-year history of its post- Among the bilateral agencies, the Programme Cycle (2006-2010), a
Independence period, Government Danish International Development gender component worth 3 million
has been supported by numerous Agency (DANIDA’s) was among the dollars was initiated to support the
agencies and organizations to pursue first to support the NWM. implementation of activities related
its development agenda including the From 1989–2000 a capacity building to formulation of gender sensitive
promotion of the status of women and programme supported by DANIDA policy and legal frameworks, capacity
gender equality. contributed to a number of milestones, building for gender and development
the effects of which are still evident programming, advocacy and policy
Government’s efforts have been dialogue and promoting partnerships
complemented by faith-based and today. The first-ever National Gender
Policy was formulated, sectoral gender with stakeholders to address gender
civil society organizations (CSOs) and based violence (GBV) including
the private sector, which have made policies and training manuals were
developed and data was collected. female genital mutilation and cutting
significant contributions to education, (FGM/C).
agriculture, health, sanitation among
others. Likewise, in the area of Further, the British Government,
gender and women’s development, through its development agency,
Government and communities have the Department for International
worked with various development Development (DFID), is supporting
partners and organizations to realize Government to implement a 4-year
their goals. (2011-2014) Joint Programme on
Gender Equality. Funding is channeled
When the Ministry of Women in through UN Women.
Development, the first National
Women’s Machinery (NWM), was The programme which will be launched
established in 1988, the United Nations during this year’s International Women’s
Development Programme (UNDP) Day celebrations in Nebbi District
introduced and supported the Umbrella has an initial funding commitment
Project. It was a comprehensive of 14,900,000 Pound Sterling
set of capacity building and skills’ (approximately US $ 24,767,313) from
development activities targeting women the DFID-UK for 5 Years (2009-2013).
in leadership and decision-making.
From 2009 the Irish Government
Thereafter, various UN organizations supported the ministry for mapping
have been and continue to be close GBV, and subsequently, a programme
partners of the NWM. Among these to address GBV in eight districts of
are; UNDP, UNIFEM which as of June Busoga Region was initiated. The
UNICEF Photo
2011, became UN Women, United five-year programme (FY 2010/11 –
Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), 2014/15) brings together stakeholders
United Nations Educational and from the Local Governments,
Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Mr. Keith McKenzie, former Campaign against Domestic Violence
United Nations High Commissioner Unicef Country Representative (CEDOVIP), the Uganda Women’s
for Refugees (UNHCR), the World handing over education materials Network (UWONET) and a private
Health Organization (WHO), United to Government officials for a sector firm, Mystic Multimedia, to work
Nations Fund for Population Activities primary school in Karamoja. towards reducing the vulnerability of
(UNFPA), the International Labour communities especially women and
Organization (ILO), the Food and girls to GBV in Busoga Region.
Agricultural Organization, (FAO), the
10 UGANDA WOMAN March - September 2012
13. A TRIBUTE TO DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS
At the launch of the programme
on December 9, 2010, the
Minister of State for Gender and
Culture, Hon. Rukia Nakadama
The Senior Citizen Grant:
Isanga, reiterated Government’s Enabling women to age with security and dignity
commitment to address GBV
By Simon Omoding
as a priority development issue.
At the same occasion, the- Tereza Nannyonga is a 70-year old widow.
then Ambassador of Ireland in She lives in Gogonya parish, Kibiga sub
Uganda, H.E. Kevin Kelly, stated -County, Kiboga District, approximately
that his Government was fully 5 kilometres out of Kiboga town. Like
behind the various interventions many people her age, Nanyonga suffers
on GBV. a debilitating ailment; a persistent and
disabling headache that was diagnosed as a
Ambassador Kelly’s statement tumour. At her age she is not able to work
of commitment was clear: “We anymore to produce enough for her own
see the protection of human upkeep. She has two grandchildren who
rights for both women and men depend on her for food, education, clothing
as paramount for achieving the and medication.
SAGE Photo
development goals set out by
Uganda; we will provide both Nannyonga is a common example of a
technical and financial support to Ugandan senior citizen. Although she has
a total value of two million Euros children, they live far away and are not An old woman at her home
over a five- year period.” able to support her when she needs help.
Statistics indicate that only 7.1 per cent of recognised as a critical component of
The Government of Norway is older persons in Uganda access pensions national development strategies and
currently one of the strongest and only 40 per cent of these are women. key to achieving inclusive, pro-poor,
allies in the effort to eliminate When the Ministry of Gender, Labour and equitable development. Direct Income
GBV in Uganda and the French Social Development(MGLSD) initiated Support in the form of regular and
Embassy has made substantive the Senior Citizen Grants in 2011, predictable transfers of small amounts of
contributions to the campaign Nannyonga was one of the first people to money to vulnerable or excluded citizens
for the abandonment of FGM/C receive the grant in September 2011. is at the core of most national social
through collaboration with protection systems.
UNFPA. Grants from the embassy “I am blessed to have been identified
as a beneficiary. There are many people The provision of Direct Income Support
have benefited civil society and
who would wish to get this money but is a key tool that complements Uganda’s
community based organisations
are unlucky. In September when I got efforts to empower women and address
implementing activities for
the money, I used it to hire people to dig their unique vulnerability. Women
FGM/C abandonment among
my garden, in order to improve my food play a critical role for providing the
communities that practice it.
production. Because the money is not basic requirements for their families,
As Uganda celebrates 50 years of enough I will use the subsequent grants to particularly children.
its existence as an independent access medical treatment, and buy sugar As Nannyonga’s case demonstrates,
country the NWM pays tribute and meat,” she says. grandmothers, in particular, play an
to the Development Partners important role in caring for their
The Senior Citizen Grant (SAGE) and
with whom it has worked and grandchildren. In many cases this
the Vulnerable Family Grants (VFG), are
will continue to work in the enables parents to produce food for
part of the MGLSD’s Social Protection
challenging process of women’s their families or enter the labour market.
Programme.
empowerment. Unfortunately, because of poverty and
The grant is given to people who are 65 years vulnerability, women’s resilience and
and above (in the case of Karamoja this has ability to provide for their families is
Maggie M Kyomukama is the been lowered to 60 years). The VF Grant greatly reduced. Despite significant
Assistant Commissioner for on the other hand is given to households Government investments in health
Gender and Women in the that have low labour capacity (unable to and education, the poorest and most
Ministry of Gender, Labour work owing to physical disability, old age or vulnerable are failing to access basic
and Social Development underage). For SAGE, the selection criteria services. Financial constraints are a key
and Dennis Obbo is the is age, while households who benefit from barrier to accessing health services yet
Spokesperson, Ministry of the Vulnerable Family Grant are selected sickness is cited as the major reason for
Lands, Housing and Urban using a labour capacity and dependency dropping out of school.
Development assessment mechanism. Under the schemes,
beneficiaries receive Ug Shs 23,000 per Simon Omoding works with the
month. Social Protection Programme in
Today, social protection is globally the Ministry of Gender, Labour and
Social Development
UGANDA WOMAN March - September 2012 11
14. WOMEN’S MOVEMENT
Women Emancipation
Movement in Uganda
By Alice Emasu Seruyange
It is misleading to believe that the
setting up of Gayaza High School
(GHS) in 1905 during the Colonial era
gave direction to women’s emancipation
in Uganda. GHS was not meant to
provide women leaders, but rather, it
was a tutoring ground for the future
Martin Ssebuyira Photo
wives of the Colonial chiefs.
GHS did not help to free the women
from the traditional patriarchal
structures of society in which cultural
practices consigned the womenfolk
as secondary in decision-making, The first LEGICO building
education and property rights. However,
Uganda visible internationally. while Oyeru was a permanent secretary.
from these beginnings emerged women
who started organisations to address The UCW spurred female Other influential women were: Florence
women issues. representation in the Legislative Nekyon, Nancy Kaumbura, Christine
Council (LEGICO), the Colonial Cwa, Joyce Mpanga, Joyce Mungherera,
According to Uganda Women’s
Parliament. The women who were the executive director of YWCA and
Network (UWONET), the women’s
nominated to the LEGICO were or had Miria Kalule Obote.
emancipation movement started
been in the executive of the UCW. The
informally. It emerged from women The next Parliament, the National
first representatives to the LEGICO
who contended with African cultural Resistance Council (NRC) had four
were UCW’s founder Barbara Saben
traditions of ingrained subservient roles, women: Olivia Zizinga, Gertrude
and its first president, Alice Boase. In
social and religious disenfranchisement. Njuba, Janat Mukwaya and Rhoda
1956 Pumla Kisosonkole joined the
In 1914, the Mothers’ Union became Kalema. The participation of women
LEGICO and was followed by Sarah
the first women’s organisation to continued to rise and by 1994, there
Ntiro in 1958.
be formed. The forerunners of this were 50 women out of 280 members
organisation were the GHS graduates; By the time of Independence the of Parliament (MPs). The participation
Sala Mukasa and Naome Binaisa. Later women representatives in the LEGICO of women in the political life of the
the Uganda Women’s League (UWL) included: Frances Akello, Florence country continued to rise and to date,
was formed by a cross-section of women Lubega, Eseza Makumbi and Joyce women occupy 34% of the positions in
some of whom were European and Masembe Mpanga. After 1962, women Parliament.
Asian. These two organisations led to were not represented in Parliament
During the National Resistance
the formation of the Uganda Council until after the Liberation War of
Movement (NRM) Government, other
of Women (UCW) in 1946. According 1979 when, in the-then constituted
organisations started to be formed. Some
to Aili Mart Tripp, a chronicler of National Consultative Council (NCC),
of these included; Action for Women’s
this period of Uganda’s history, in "A Geraldine Namirembe Bitamazire
Development (ACFODE) which was
Foot in the Door," “As Independence and Rhoda Kalema joined Parliament.
started by Maxine Ankrah. Forum for
neared the UCW sought to prepare These were later followed by Teresa
Women in Democracy (FOWODE),
women to influence public opinion and Odongo-Oduka in 1980.
founded by Winnie Byanyima, Ugandan
Government policies which affected
UCW was later renamed the National Women’s Network (UWONET) and
women and the family.”
Association of Women Organisations Uganda Media Women’s Association
The actions of the UCW concretized (NAWOU), which was later renamed (UMWA) by Margaret Sentamu.
into the formation of the inter-racial and the National Council of Women These Non-Government Organisations
non-denominational Young Women’s (NCW) following a decree by Gen. Idi (NGOs) promoted women’s equality
Christian Association (YWCA) in Amin. In this uncertain period in the and mobilized women for improved
1952. Its leaders; Katie Kibuuka and movement, Mary Astles Senkatuka amd livelihoods. They demanded the
Rebecca Mulira, studied the women’s Hellen Oyeru were the most prominent establishment of policy, legal and
movement in America and played a part women. Senkatuka was minister of administrative structures to promote
in making the women’s movement in Culture and Community Development the participation of the women in all the
12 UGANDA WOMAN March - September 2012
15. WOMEN’S MOVEMENT
socio-economic and political aspects of emancipation was the enactment of the ensured the participation of women in
society. 1995 Constitution, often referred to as a governance at lower levels. The 1997
“gender sensitive constitution”. It affirms Local Government Act provides that
The NRM responded by appointing
equality of all persons and prohibits 30% of the seats and local councils are
women to positions of influence.
discrimination based on gender. It was reserved for women.
For instance, Dr. Wandira Specioza
a result of the women’s involvement
Kazibawe's was appointed vice- Other breakthroughs for the women’s
in the constitutional review process.
president in 1994, becoming the first movement included HIV and AIDS
Around this time, the Government also
African female vice president. She Prevention and Control Bill (2009),
supported Civil Society Organizations
became a role model for other women intended to provide a legal framework
(CSOs) and committed individuals to
and young girls in the quest for women’s for the national response to HIV and
promote women by first and foremost
advancement. AIDS. It seeks to protect the rights of
establishing and enforcing legal, policy
people living with HIV and AIDS.
Other women who occupied important and institutional frameworks.
offices included; Rhoda Kalema, The National Gender Policy was
The steps made by Government included
Bitamazire, Rebecca Kadaga who were formulated in 1997 to mainstream
the domestication and enforcement of
ministers, Ntiro was undersecretary in gender into the national development
conventions and the signing of protocols
the Prime Minister’s Office; and heads process. It improved the social, legal/
with a bearing on women’s rights and
of parastatals such as Allen Kagina civic, political, economic and cultural
empowerment. Some of these include
of the Uganda Revenue Authority conditions of the women.
The women’s movement has taken
advantage of the existing legal and
institutional framework to build
capacity of grassroots’ women. Thus
women are encouraged to form savings
and credit groups, lobby for financial
support, build collaborative networks
and strive for economic empowerment.
There are also positive indicators of
Shawn Makumbi Photo
the rising level of awareness on the
human rights of women. For instance,
today when a school girl conceives, it
is not the end of her education, unlike
previously. Families and education
Members of Mothers' Union in Nebbi presenting a goat as a bride price gift authorities are waking up to the reality
of the problem and allowing the girls to
(URA), Florence Kata of the Uganda the Convention on the Elimination return to school after delivery.
Export Promotion Board (UEPB) of all forms of Discrimination against Awareness has also been created in
and Margaret Kigozi, who has recently Women (CEDAW) and the Protocol the area of land rights for women.
retired as the executive director of the on the Rights of Women in Africa of Previously, only 3 % of women owned
Uganda Investment Authority (UIA). 2003. The protocol provides a legal land and controlled family assets; now,
framework on a series of issues affecting more women especially the working
Furthermore, in 1988, the women’s
women such as how and when to enter elite are becoming economically
movement led to the establishment
or quit a marriage, property rights, independent and aware of their rights
of a ministry in charge of women
domestic violence, Female Genital to property.
as the National Machinery for
Mutilation (FGM) and other forms of
the Advancement of Women and The formulation and enforcement of
abuse and violence against women.
Promotion of Gender Equality and laws and policies that protect women
Equity; Joyce Mpanga was its first Further, the legal environment for against abuse and other forms of
minister. women was enhanced with the passing violations have catalysed the women’s
of the Penal Code Amendment Bill in movement and will continue to form
In the early 90’s the women’s movement
2006 and 2007. It made defilement a the agenda to address emerging issues.
adopted new goals and objectives
capital offence. The annulment of Penal
meant to make women more visible [Co-authored with Ikebesi Omoding,
Code sections on divorce and adultery
and their voices audible at all levels; a free lance journalist and editor; and
in 2007 by the High Court was another
getting women into strategic decision- National Chairperson of the Uganda
success for the women’s movement.
making positions; promoting equal Media Union.]
The enactment of the Female Genital
opportunities, freedom of speech;
Mutilation Private Members Bill into Alice Emasu Seruyange is the
influencing the enactment and effective
law in 2009 imposed tough penalties for Executive Director of The
enforcement of gender responsive laws
people practicing FGM. Association for the Re-orientation
and policies; and, promoting women’s
participation in the public spheres. The Government has established a and Rehabilitation of Women for
democratic environment that has Development (TERREWODE)
The milestone for women’s NGO.
UGANDA WOMAN March - September 2012 13
16. NATIONAL MACHINERY
Evolution of the National
Women’s Machinery
By Jane Sanyu Mpagi women’s concerns into the national and
district development plans, promoting
In 1995, the United Nations (UN) women’s income generating activities
defined the National Women’s and promoting participation of
Machinery (NWM) as the central policy women in politics and decision-making
coordinating unit inside government positions. Currently, the Ministry is
with the main task of mainstreaming responsible for overall formulation
the gender equality perspective in and coordination of policies on gender
all policy areas. Previously, National and development focusing on gender
Women Machineries could exist within mainstreaming within the sectors. It
or outside government. also plays a catalytic role and influences
action towards gender equality and
Since Uganda’s Independence in 1962, President Museveni displaying the women’s empowerment.
the national machinery for advancement promulgated 1995 Constitution
of women has been evolving; from an The National Machinery works closely
organization established by women and with the National Women’s Council
outside government to a body within established the National Council of (NWC), a statutory organization of
Government. Women (NCW) by a presidential decree local assemblies of women, which was
to serve as the women’s machinery. The established by law in 1993. The Council
At the time of Independence, the NCW was located in the Ministry of draws representation from various
Uganda Council of Women (UCW) Culture and Community Development. groups of women including Members of
was the NWM. It was formed in 1946 While the machinery gained legal Parliament, female youth, and women
by a cross section of women from all over legitimacy, it lost out on bringing on with disabilities among others. Most
the country to press for Government board voices from autonomous women importantly, the Council mobilizes
recognition and support for women’s organizations because the 1978 decree women and lobbies Government and
concerns. The activities of the Council had banned all the women associations other actors to strengthen support to
were focused on reforming marriage in the country. Consequently, the women.
laws. Other issues were the right of achievements of the organisation in this
women to work and to participate in period were limited. The approaches and strategies used by
the politics and governance. the NWM to promote the status of
The NCW continued to be the women have changed over time. From
At that time, there was no visible recognized NWM during the period the 60’s to the late 80’s, emphasis was
structure for women advancement of 1980 – 1985. However, it was put on identifying women’s immediate
within government. The issues of shifted from the Ministry of Culture and practical needs which included
women were handled within the and Community Development to the water, credit, and agricultural inputs.
Ministry of Culture and Community Ministry of Local Government.
Development by the Department of However, with the increasing discourse
Community Development. The main In 1988, a Ministry of Women in on gender which was influenced by the
activities of the department were geared Development was established in the international thinking of 1990s, the
towards making women better wives. Office of the President. It was later focus became wider. Emphasis shifted
merged with the Youth and Culture from addressing women in isolation
However, a few strategic issues were Ministry in 1991. In 1994 the Ministry to mainstreaming the gender equality
addressed. For instance, women were was re-named Gender and Community issues in development planning and
trained in leadership. Florence Nekyon, Development and later in 1998 it programming. The Ministry soon
who was a community development became the Ministry of Gender, Labour realized that it did not exist to solicit
officer, narrated that women received and Social Development after the and distribute funds for traditional
three months leadership courses. merger with labour and social services. types of women’s income generating
activities, but rather to plan strategically
The first attempt to establish a NWM The Ministry as the National and influence other sectors and actors
inside government was in the 1970s. In Machinery positioned itself to seek for to address gender issues in their
1978, President Idi Amin, responding equal rights by women through legal programmes and projects. Accordingly,
to the lobby of women organizations, and institutional reforms, integrating the National Gender Policy (2007)
14 UGANDA WOMAN March - September 2012
17. NATIONAL MACHINERY
states that the NWM is charged with and social spheres, guarantees gender the NWM.
the responsibility of spearheading balance, outlaws negative cultural
and coordinating gender responsive practices and protects maternal rights Despite the achievements and
development and in particular, ensuring of women. opportunities, challenges have also
improvement of women’s status. abounded throughout the 50 year
Gender disaggregated data is a major journey. For instance, the Civil Service
The mainstreaming strategy has component of the mainstreaming Reform of the 1990s reduced the
involved integrating gender equality strategies. It substantiates arguments number of gender experts from 25
issues within legal frameworks with facts on the disadvantaged position prior to 1998 to 10 currently. The
gap increased the work load of the
remaining staff especially because they
need to continuously support the other
sectors in gender mainstreaming.
In addition, while the shift of the
Ministry from the President’s Office
to a separate Ministry reflected a move
towards autonomy and growth, it
also meant loss of clout because what
was originally a ministry became a
mere department in a larger ministry.
However, the merger of the national
machinery with other social services
functions such as labour, community
development and social protection
Shawn Makumbi Photo
provided an entry point in integrating
gender within these areas.
Perhaps the major challenge is about
Sabiny woman with a load of firewood on her back: tracking progress. Addressing gender
There is a need to reduce the burden on women inequality is about changing attitudes,
which is a long process and the results
cannot be ascertained in the short and
including the 1995 Constitution, of women vis-à-vis that of men. The
medium term.
development frameworks like the Ministry works closely with the Uganda
National Development Plan (NDP) Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) to ensure
In the past 50 years the NWM has
and in all sectoral plans. Also, Gender that relevant gender disaggregated data
shifted from an NGO to a government
Focal Points have been appointed in is generated.
ministry. It has progressively gained
all line ministries to ensure that gender
importance and visibility and has
mainstreaming is sustained. Collaboration with like-minded Non
been able to influence policy making
Government Organisations (NGOs)
processes. It has thrived on pressure
One of the notable successes of the is another strategy that the NWM in
from the women’s movement coupled
mainstreaming strategy and therefore Uganda has employed. The issues that it
with the positive political will of
of the NWM was the broadening of the addresses in collaboration with NGOs
Government along with its ability to
women’s agenda within the legislative include; gender budgeting, reforming
integrate gender into the development
reforms. The Ministry worked with the legislations, economic empowerment,
process. Also, direction at cabinet level
women organizations to coordinate gender based violence among others.
has given it the political influence
nationwide consultations for the Also, strong linkages with the regional
needed for gender mainstreaming at all
Constitution; a memorandum was and international events have shaped
levels.
drafted and sent to the constitutional the work of the NWM. For instance
commission. The Ministry’s international instruments which
Jane S. Mpagi is the Director for
memorandum addressed issues of both Government has signed and ratified such
Gender and Community Development,
national concern, such as national as the Convention on the Elimination
Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social
language, but also specific women’s issues of all forms of Discrimination against
Development
such as elimination of discrimination Women (CEDAW) and the Beijing
on the basis of sex, property, marriage, Platform for Action, among others have
inheritance and divorce issues as well shaped the mandate of the NWM.
as entrenchment of affirmative action
in the Constitution. Consequently, the Most importantly, the political will and
Ugandan Constitution provides for commitment at the highest level of the
equal protection of all people under National Resistance Movement (NRM)
the law, ensures women’s rights to equal Government continues to provide an
opportunities in political, economic enabling environment for the work of
UGANDA WOMAN March - September 2012 15
18. WOMEN CSOs
FOWODE Photo
Women Organizations:
From Humble Beginnings to a Force to Reckon With
By Rita Aciro Lakor Frances Akello, Sugra Visram, Barbra Doctors, Association of Uganda Women
Saben, Pumla Kisosonkole and Sarah Lawyers (FIDA – Uganda), Centre
In the past 50 years, Uganda’s women Ntiro. These and Joyce Masembe for Domestic Violence Prevention,
non-governmental organizations Mpanga, Eseza Makumbi were Community Development Resources
(NGOs) have played a vital role in instrumental in laying the foundation Network, Department of Gender
strengthening democracy at the family, for women’s organizations in the Studies Makerere University, Disabled
community and national levels. Despite country. Women’s Network and Resource
their humble beginnings, they have Organization, Empower Children and
promoted civic awareness and fostered Later, UCW was renamed the National Communities against Abuse and Forum
democratic participation. Association of Women’s Organization of Women in Democracy (FOWODE).
in Uganda (NAWOU). This
The ideology of emancipation started to organization gained momentum until Others are: Women International Cross
take root with the establishment of the the coup of 1971 when it was banned Culture Exchange (Isis-WICCE),
Mothers Union in 1914, arguably the by the Government of Gen. Idi Amin. National Bahai Community for
forerunner of the women’s movement. Advancement of Women, Send a Cow,
Later, the Uganda Women’s League Later, the Uganda Women’s Network
(UWONET) was formed to re- Uganda Media Women’s Association,
(UWL) was formed. Leadership in Uganda Women’s Finance Trust and
this organization was provided by invigorate the women’s movement in the
country. UWONET was born out of Women Engineers, Technicians and
Sala Mukasa and Naome Binaisa, the Scientists in Uganda.
mother of Godfrey Binaisa, who later the East African Women’s Conference
became president of Uganda. held in Kampala in 1993 in preparation There has been a tendency to prioritise
for the UN World Conference on the women organizations in urban areas
The UWL led to the founding of the Women in Beijing, China in 1995. It but there is a move to shift attention to
Uganda National Council of Women is an advocacy and lobbying network the rural areas where the majority of the
(UCW) that in turn led to the for the national women NGO’s and women reside and where agricultural
emergence of Young Women’s Christian individuals in Uganda. production is the mainstay of the
Association (YWCA) in 1952. UCW women’s economic activity. UWONET
prevailed on Governor Andrew Cohen Today, UWONET comprises of 16
member associations which include: will soon cease from activism at the
to nominate women to the Legislative national level to the rural women’s
Council (LEGICO), the Colonial Action for Development (ACFODE),
Association of Uganda Women Medical organizations so that it tackles issues of
Parliament. The first women included: peace building; gender based violence;
16 UGANDA WOMAN March - September 2012
19. WOMEN CSOs
sexual reproductive health; advocacy; Penal Code Amendment Bill of 2006 Further, since the launch of Universal
women’s economic empowerment; and, and 2007 where defilement was made a Primary Education (UPE) in 1997, the
information sharing at that level. Capital offence, has benefitted women number of female intake increased from
for the better. three million to 7.6 million in 2003.
Women Civil Society Organizations The enrolment of children with special
(CSOs) have provided space for women Then, the allocation of the 1.5 bonus needs has increased to 54% for boys and
to participate in public affairs and points for girls since 1990 has improved 46% for girls. Also the introduction of
opportunities to upgrade their level women’s intake into universities Universal Secondary Education (USE)
of education, contest elections, own significantly. Statistics indicate that in
property, take up high profile jobs and
participate in economic activities. Up to
the 1970’s, women formed only 5% of
the Parliament. There was one woman
minister, Mary Astles Senkatuka, who
served in the portfolio of minister of
Culture and Community Development
in Amin’s regime and Hellen Oyeru
who was permanent secretary.
In the 1980s Parliament, there were
only Stella Odong Oduka and Rhoda
UWOPA Photo
Kalema. The ratio of women academics
in top management at the universities
was at 20% compared to 80% males
showing an instant increase from the UWOPA members debating gender budgeting
1970’s and 80’s which was minimal. In
areas of governance, women have come
from zero in the early 1960’s to over 2010 Makerere University registered increased the advancement of women
30% at all levels. more female students than male from primary to secondary from 46%
ones. Out of 13,766 students for the to 69%.
The participation of women continued award of degrees and diplomas in
to rise and by 1994 there were 52 women various disciplines, 6,936 or 50.4% Various educational programmes have
in Parliament of 280 MP’s; now there were females while 6,830 or 49.6% been influenced by women organizations
are 202 women out of 332 members. were male. Previously, according to a such as ACFODE, Forum for Women’s
Women’s organizations have benefitted study undertaken in 2008, by Grace Educationalists (FAWE) and individual
from both the local and the global Bantebya, out of 28 deans and directors efforts of women such as Ruth Kavuma,
aspects. For instance, the ratification at the university, 20 were male and 6 former MP of Kalangala, who used her
of the Convention on the Elimination females. Similarly, there were 22 males leadership in FAWE to solicit support
of all forms of Discrimination against and 7 females out of 29 deputy deans for vulnerable girls.
Women (CEDAW) in 1979, the and directors. Going by the rise of
signing of the Protocol on the Rights of the female intake, the future promises Yet there are still eye sores. The problem
Women in Africa and the passing of the better for women. of women being overwhelmed with
poverty is disturbing. The 2007
Government Report indicates that
38% of the women and children are
living below the poverty line. This is an
indication that women organizations
still have a lot of distance to cover in the
quest for women empowerment.
[Co-authored with Lominda Afedraru,
a journalist working with the Daily
Monitor and Susan Muwanga, Senior
Women in Development Officer with
the Ministry of Gender, Labour and
Social Development]
Shawn Makumbi Photo
Rita Aciro Lakor is the Executive
Director of Uganda Women’s
The Director of Gender and Community Development in the Network (UWONET)
ministry of GLSD, Jane Mpagi participating in a women's conference
UGANDA WOMAN March - September 2012 17
