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 campaig...

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 K...

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, Ca...

Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE) is among the many civil society organisations that participated in the civil society fair at the people’s space in Kampala between 6 th -7 th June 2011.   FOWODE had an information sharing stall which hosted many visitors and also attended various sessions on women’s contribution to the socio economic and political transformation in Uganda.  The women reflected on their past achievements and discussed next steps to make the women’s movement vibrant. In this discussion, it was acknowledged that although the women’s movement has greatly contributed to the development processes of this country, it was losing steam yet there is a lot it still had to do. In her recommendations, Hon. Alaso one of the panellists urged the women’s movement to improve its visibility through publicising its achievements, mentoring the younger generation encouraging them to join the women’s movement for continuity purposes, improving activism as a response mech...

Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga was on 19 th May 2011, elected the Speaker of the 9 th Parliament after receiving 302 votes defeating Hon. Nathan Nandala Mafabi who scored 57 votes. Witnessing this historical moment were representatives from Forum for Women in Democracy, and other women activists. On announcing her as winner, the women’s activists were seen hugging and shaking hands, a sign that this is not only a victory for Hon. Kadaga but for all the women of Uganda regardless of political affiliation, religion, class.  “This is a historic moment for the women of Uganda. Hon. Kadaga has broken the barriers to women’s participation in leadership and her victory is an indication of the trust that the Members of Parliament have in her capabilities and competencies.  We are glad to have been a part of this historic moment, we now have a woman occupying the 3 rd most important office in Uganda” stated Patricia Munabi Babiiha.  Hon. Kadaga, a re-known women rights activist...

  Women & men take part in the women's vigil for peace walk 09th may 2011 Clad in white , holding pans, plates, spoons and placards, the women of Uganda this morning sounded their voice to condemn excessive use of force by law enforcement agencies which saw 9 people killed, injury of more than 100 persons and destruction of property as citizens’ demanded for government’s response to address increased commodity prices.    “We are carrying saucepans to show government that with high food prices, it is becoming impossible to sufficiently feed our families” stated Julie Luutu an activist from Forum for Women in Democracy and when asked on why they were wearing white Julie said the women chose white because it was a neutral color that won’t be associated with any political party in Uganda.   In what was dubbed as a women's vigil for peace , the women walked from Kira Rd Police stretching to Yusuf Lule and Acacia Roads and back to the playgrounds,...