Forum for Women in Democracy Uganda

TRANSFORMING WOMEN’S LIVES The change we want to see 2011-2016 Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE) congratulates fellow citizens for having actively participated in the recently concluded Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government elections. We further congratulate those elected to the different leadership positions, particularly the women who had to overcome significant cultural and systemic barriers to get into these positions. We acknowledge the achievements realised in empowering women, but we are concerned that while the status of women has advanced significantly in the past 25 years, the progress has been distressingly slow even as new and diverse challenges affecting the advancement of women continue to arise. Guided by a common agenda for the promotion of the rights of women as fundamental, non-negotiable and inherent human rights, the women of Uganda in October 2010 launched “Equal by Right: The Uganda Women’s Agenda 2010-2016” , which brings to the forefront key issu...

A televised poll conducted on 10th February 2011 during NTV Uganda’s popular TV talk show ‘On the Spot’ revealed that 87% of Ugandans did not think maternal health was prioritized in the political party manifestos. The TV program, sponsored by Forum for Women in Democracy and FEMNET, was held to discuss and analyze the positioning of maternal health in Ugandan politics. Guests included, Hon. Betty Kamya Presidential Aspirant, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda representing the NRM presidential candidate, Hon Nabila Sempala Nagayi for IPC Presidential candidate,  and two health experts; Ms. Robinah Biteyi from White Ribbon Alliance and Dr. Daniel Murokora, the head of the Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Uganda. An analysis given by the health experts presented a grim picture emphasizing the need to redress maternal health in Uganda. The experts noted that although Uganda boasts of reducing maternal mortality ratio from 505 to 435 for 100,000 live births, this figure is still unaccep...

Evelyn Anite a FOWODE alumnus wins the Northern Uganda Youth MP seat for 2011-2016. Anite of NRM won with 725 votes defeating innocent Ayo(FDC), Francesca Amony (Independent), Job Okello (UPC) and Kennedy Oluma (UFA). In her victory remarks, she vowed to fight unemployment among youth from northern Ugandan and pledged to link them t o government programs and forming a youth development plan to engage youth in income generating activities like carpentry and joinery.

A statement on the recent elections by the women of Uganda We, the women of Uganda, congratulate fellow citizens for having actively participated in the 2 nd multiparty elections since Uganda returned to multiparty system of democracy in 2005. We further congratulate those elected to the different leadership positions, particularly the women who had to overcome significant cultural and systemic barriers to get into these positions. As we start a new period of nation building, we take time to reflect on some of the successes and shortcomings of the election so that we can build on the successes and identify mechanisms to mitigate the shortcomings for a better future. Prior to the elections, sections of the public expressed lack of confidence in the Electoral Commission. A series of demonstrations and dialogues were organized in different parts of the country calling for electoral reforms and an overhaul of the current Electoral Commission in favour of an independent body to manage th...

8 th February 2011   Forum for Women in Democracy ( FOWODE ) is at the World Social Forum (WSF) organized at the University Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar Senegal. Thousands of people from all parts of the World are attending this open meeting space where social movements, networks, and civil society organizations opposed to neo-liberalism and any form of imperialism gather to pursue their thinking, debate ideas democratically, to formulate proposals, share experiences and network for effective action. As part of the WSF in Dakar, Senegal, FOWODE has an exhibition stand for information sharing and networking and is engaging in various women foras aimed at promoting gender equality. FOWODE participated in the African Women Forum organized to examine the response from the African women in the face of globalization after 50 years of independence. The other forum FOWODE attended was on Gender and Media organized by FEMNET. In this forum women challenged each other to deman...

Mr. Julius Mukunda presenting findings to members of the Parliamentary Social Services Committee. | ©FOWODE 2010 As parliament assessed the sectoral performance of the budget framework paper, Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE) engaged the Parliamentary Social Services Committee on 22 nd April 2010, to demand for improved gender responsive plans from the Health and Education sectors since they have a direct impact on the welfare of women. Mr. Julius Mukunda and Esther Nabwiire presented a position paper to the Parliamentary Committee on Social Services highlighting five priority areas of focus for the two sectors. These included - establishing a Gender Unit within the Ministry of Education to mainstream gender; utilizing the Universal Primary Education capitation grant to purchase emergency sanitary facilities for school –girls. For Ministry of Health, FOWODE emphasized the following factors; improving the drug storage and supply management and access to health care as well as e...

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 I n 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).