Forum for Women in Democracy Uganda

Arthur Larok, [NGO Forum] and Busingye [Action aid] during a press conference for the return  our money campaign At the climax of the 2011 general election campaigns, Ugandans woke up to yet another scheme of blatant abuse of tax payer’s money, when UGX 20m was given to each Member of the 8th Parliament purportedly to monitor government programmes such as NAADS , just three weeks to the end of their tenure. In an effort to put a moratorium on such Government excesses. NGOs responded with a multifaceted campaign dubbed “Respect Your Honor and Return our Money” , with a vision of compelling the Members of Parliament to return this money to the treasury. Letters were written to citizens coupled with a robust media strategy that raised public awareness on the matter and generated momentum for action. A constitutional petition was also filed calling upon the judiciary to rule against the act as unconstitutional. Being in the midst of a heated campaigns period, the campaign wa

John Rwangombwa, Rwanda's Minister of Finance and Joanne Sandler, Senior Advisor for Policy and Programmes, UN Women in a group photo with participants The principle of gender equality has found more space in several societies over the last two decades and, has begun to underpin all aspects of national development. For this reason, governments, international organizations and the civil society met this week on July 26 to 28, 2011 at the ‘High Level Global Meeting’ on Gender Responsive Planning and Budgeting, at Kigali Serena Hotel, Rwanda. Among the key issues of discussion was the need for governments to ensure that that the collection and allocation of public resources, is done in ways that contribute effectively to the advancing of gender equality and women empowerment. Besides Rwanda’s Government, several partners including UN Women, European Union, DfID, UNFPA, the civil society, academia and several Non-Governmental Organisations participated as a show of support toward

14th July 2011 Kabale CAO [second right] during the handover  of the delivery kit and other medical supplies   to Kagalama Health Center II On 14th July 2011, the Kabale Chief Administrative Officer and some officials from the district health department delivered maternal health care equipment to the Kagarama Health center II. This happened months after the chief Administrative Officer issued a directive that required the In-charge at the health center to transform one of the spare rooms into a maternity ward that will be equipped with maternal health care facilities. He issued this directive during an interface meeting held in April, 2011 between community members and their leaders to engage on matters affecting the community. This was a great achievement to the Kagarama budget clubs members because when they started monitoring service delivery at this health center, the situation of child delivery was found to be lacking. Kyomugisha Immaculate a midwife at Kagarama Health

13th July 2011 Village budget club members during a press conference with journalists from Luwero  and Kampala based radio stations and newspapers. Such engagements are aimed at increasing visibility and knowledge on the work of the village budget clubs in  demanding for greater gender accountability of government. Members of the village budget clubs in Luwero district accused government officers of issuing them with threats and refusing to provide them with information like district budgets and plans, which they require while monitoring government programs at community level. This was during a press conference organized by the village club members in Kasaala who monitor the implementation of development programs aimed at promoting transparency and accountability to the communities. In a press statement read out by the club secretary to journalists from Musana FM, Top radio, New vision and Bukedde, CBS radio, Simba Radio, Radio One, Kaboozi, Capital and Beat FM, the club presen