Forum for Women in Democracy Uganda

The Forum for Women in Democracy has called on media to support the crusade for advancing gender equality.     During a media networking meeting held on the 30th October 2013 at Sheraton Hotel in Kampala, FOWODE and News editors from over 20 media houses discussed strategies of expanding spaces and opportunities fro learning as well as advancing gender equality, accountability and good governance The meeting was also used to share with the media the women’s demands stipulated in the Uganda Women’s Agenda which calls for Government’s responsiveness towards women’s specific needs in education, health, ICT, environment, Women with special needs, health, democracy and governance, human rights and the Law, Peace, human security, an d dignity, Uganda in regional and international context, economic empowerment and institutional mechanisms.  Dr. Thelma Awori , the Honorary Consul General of Liberia in Uganda, who also gave the key note address, commended the media for the space an

University students have challenged the new Shs256 billion Youth Livelihood Fund, arguing that it is a new campaign tool to hoodwink youth ahead of the 2016 General Elections. During a public dialogue organised by the Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE), Gender and leadership Club at Nkumba University and Uganda Youth Network last week, the students said government announced the Youth Fund towards the 2011 election but it did not work out because of the conditions one had to fulfill before obtaining it. “Why is this new Youth Livelihood Fund only targeting school drop-outs and leaving out the graduated youth who may not be potential candidates to easily be hoodwinked again?” Mr Ken Seruwagi, a first year student pursuing business administration, asked. Ms Grace Obalim, the president of the Gender and Leadership Club Nkumba University, said that it is very absurd that the new Fund looks at projects like video-audio editing and poultry rearing that could have les

Nakaggwa claims that some officials have taken the issue personal for fear of being exposed for mismanaging government funds.   Lack of access to information and intimidation by local government officials is hampering the anti corruption fight by the Village Budget Clubs across the country. In 2010, Forum for Women in Development, a non governmental organization launched Village Budget Clubs to demand value for money for every government program implemented.  More than 50 Village Budget clubs comprising of 1000 members drawn from the communities were formed in 13 districts. They include Luweero, Kibaale, Kabale, Kanungu, Amuru, Napak, Busia, Mityana, Amuria, Wakiso among others. However a number of Village Budget club members have quit citing a threat to their lives by civil and local government officials. In Luweero district at least 20 of the 120 volunteers have quit. The bulk of the remaining volunteers are inactive. In Kalungu district only 4 of the 50 volunteers