No more lip service to women in politics.

Ken Lukyamuzi, CP, Carol Idembe Session Chair, Olara Otunnu UPC, and Dr. Abed Bwanika PDP during a panel discussion on political accountability to women. | ©FOWODE 2010

In an interactive and exhilarating discussion this afternoon, political party leaders were put in the hot sit to explain accountability to women detailing how each party enhances women’s influence within a multiparty dispensation. Present in this session was Salaamu Musumba representing Dr. Kiiza Besigye the FDC President, Ken Lukyamuzi the Conservative Party (CP) president, Hussein Kyanjo the flag bearer of Justice Forum (JEEMA), Dr. Abed Bwanika of People’s Development Party (PDP), Olara Otunnu the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) president and Takilambula Maxensia representing Nobert Mao the president of Democratic Party (DP).

In this two hours discussion party leaders detailed their plans in promoting women’s interests. Amidst cheers and ululations Ken Lukyamuzi, aka “the Man” stated that his Party CP is focusing on capacity building for women in leadership and the party plans to reserve 40% women to benefit from a federal system of government; build women’s capacity in leadership, and promoting environmental protection.   

DP emphasized capacity building for women pledging to make the women’s league functional from national to grass root level. Maxensia however stressed the need for her party to make genuine reforms that would see more women engage in politics since the party currently has one female MP.

The Flag bearer of JEEMA (Justice Forum) Hon. Kyanjo stated that his party operates on two founding principles of Justice and Morality. FDC’s plans included deconstructing the present structure of the budget transforming it from consumption to an investment budget specifically in the areas of health and education. Other party plans included fighting corruption and reviewing the constitution to re instate presidential term limits.

Dr. Abed Bwanika’s People Democratic Party talked of plans to deepen the women’s agenda by reforming and implementing the legal framework, mobilizing women to be part of the monetized economy as well as build capacities of women in leadership.  

With all these submission, the women seemed disappointed and openly told their party leaders that these were merely sweeping statements with no measurable achievements women. It was then noted that women need to work more with political parties to mainstream gender within the parties. Grace Bantebya Professor Women in Gender Studies asked the parties to further outline the different strategies to which women and men would hold them accountable.

Some of the issues from group discussion challenges face in parties. |© FOWODE 201

Solome the FOWODE chairperson condemned the deputizing syndrome in leadership and lip service from political parties. She further urged the parties to stop regarding women as minors citing that in her analysis of the political parties’ manifestos most parties had lumped women programs with those of the children and people with disabilities etc.

Party leaders later met in smaller groups with women from their parties to brainstorm on the inclusion of women issues in party plans and manifestos. From this, Political parties were specifically demanded to amend party constitutions and plans to incorporate the democratic values and principles that promote gender parity, Parties to develop manifestos that include women’s concerns in concrete terms with viable commitments and indicators on issues of gender based violence, justice, security, water and sanitation, health, education and corruption. Women further demanded the parties to ensure women leaders have equal access to party resources.  

Carol N-FOWODE Communications Officer