Women Parliamentary Association

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Annual Report 2012 Table of Contents

FOREWORD...... 1

1.0 BACKGROUND...... 2

2.0 ENACTMENT OF LAWS...... 4

3.0 AMENDMENT OF LAWS...... 5

4.0 OVERSIGHT ON IMPLEMENTATION OF GENDER LAWS...... 5

5.0 OVERSIGHT ON POLICIES AND BUDGET PROCESS...... 7

6.0 CAPACITY BUILDING AND ENHANCING OF WOMEN AND INVOLVEMENT IN GENDER LAWS...... 9

7.0 NETWORKING WITH CSO TO HARMONISE STRATEGIES...... 10

8.0 MEDIA BRIEFINGS, CONSULTATIONS AND CAMPAIGNS...... 13

9.0 INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING...... 14

10.0 CHALLENGES...... 16

11.0 CONCLUSION...... 16

LIST OF DONORS...... 18

EXECUTIVE MEMBERS IN THE 9TH PARLIAMENT (2011-2013)...... 19 NOMIC E ECO MPO D WE AN R E M C E A N E T P F , O E R C I A T L S .. L ...... U ...... U J ...... G ...... L ... A

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FOREWORD

I salute you all, Members of Parliament, partners and Lastly, let me thank Parliamentary Development and donors. Coordination Office, Democratic Governance Facility, Irish Aid, Plan Uganda, GEZA/Austrian Development On behalf of the UWOPA executive and secretariat, I Cooperation, and British High Commission for their congratulate all Members of Parliament for your collective continued support that has kept UWOPA afloat as well as contribution towards advancement of the women’s cause functional. in the year 2012. I would like to recognise the efforts of Ministry of Gender I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the Labour and Social Development, Center for Domestic members of UWOPA, Parliamentary Forums, CSOs, Violence Prevention, Forum for Women in Democracy, donors and well-wishers for your meaningful partnerships Ministry of Internal Affairs, for their continued fight in and great commitment you showcased in order to make prevention of gender based violation and sexual violence. UWOPA sparkle. The 2012 report highlights UWOPA’s activities, Secondly, allow me to introduce the annual report 2012. achievements, best practices, lessons learnt, challenges, Through the support received from our cherished donors, and recommen dations. However com-paratively, and we managed to influence legislation, enhanced capacity with your support, we seek to make UWOPA a center of of women MPs to enrich and strengthen livelihoods of Advocacy, Empowerment and the Influence of women, Ugandans in their constituents. increasingly being recognized locally, regional and internationally. 2012 was again an eventful year with greater advocacy creating a lot of impact on the national level. During the We regret the demise of Hon Cerinah Nebanda (RIP), and course of the year, UWOPA streamlined its Governance Ms Eunice Kisembo (Ministry of Internal Affairs). May Structure by recruiting new staff to ensure effective their souls and those of other Fallen Ugandans rest in program implementation, as well as strengthening the Eternal Peace Forum in to a formidable force for high quality service delivery and improving the resource base through lobbying and mobilization. Hon. Betty Amongi CHAIRPERSON page| 1 NOMIC E ECO MPO D WE AN R E M C E A N E T P F , O E R C I A T L S .. L ...... U ...... U J ...... G ...... L ... A

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1.0 BACKGROUND

The Uganda Women Parliamentary Association (UWOPA) • To build and strengthen the capacity of UWOPA as is a registered and recognized parliamentary caucus an institution and ensure efficient and effective comprising all women members of parliament but also execution of its mandate and the common women’s open to former women members of parliament and the legislative Agenda. male members as associates or honorary members. The association was established during the 5th Parliament of 1.2 UWOPA key Focus area in the 9th Parliament Uganda (1989 - 1994) with the aim of engendering the legislative process , creating awareness on women’s rights • Engendering Legislation and encouraging lobbying and advocacy, networking, training and organizational capacity building. UWOPA • Equitable allocation of resources provides a forum for women members of parliament to discuss, share experiences and support activities that • Constituency outreach for effective representation facilitate women’s participation and leadership in all dimensions including politics, social, economics, science • Reproductive Health ( Maternal health) and technology. • Peace building UWOPA seeks to contribute to a Uganda where there is social justice, peace and economic empowerment for all. • Institutional Building and Networking UWOPA’s specific contribution is to ensure engendered laws and policies and lobby for resource allocation to improve the quality of women’s lives through effective representation, capacity building, political support and networking. 1.3 INTRODUCTION 1.1 UWOPA’s Objectives This report gives detailed status on implementation • To engender the legislative process in parliament and address the gender gaps therein. of programmatic activities as per the work plan in the UWOPA Strategic Plan 2011-2016 and thematic • To build and strengthen the capacity of women areas of UWOPA mandate but also highlights the members of parliament to effectively perform their keys results/achievements, best practices, lessons roles as members of parliament. learnt and challenges as well as recommendations • To network and collaborate with local, national, and for future project alignment and execution. International institutions for strong linkage and alliance building to support and promote women’s efforts. page| 2 NOMIC E ECO MPO D WE AN R E M C E A N E T P F , O E R C I A T L S .. L ...... U ...... U J ...... G ...... L ... A

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1.4 OVERALL ACHIEVEMENTS • Learning visits made in Ghana and Turkey on Gender Responsive Budgeting enabled UWOPA and the entire • Moving an amendment to the rules of procedure for parliament to learn from these GRB model countries. gender Parity in all committee leadership positions in Parliament. Successfully 40% leadership positions for • Periodic sensitization of members of parliament on females were accepted, incorporated and approved gender responsive budgets helped UWOPA members in the Parliamentary rules of procedure. to pressurize government to increase the health budget in the FY 2012/13 • An amendment to the rules of procedure was moved to incorporate Gender Equity certificate for • UWOPA monitoring maternal health services in compliancy of all national sectors in gender budgeting various regions of the country held government and planning. With guidance from members of the accountable house especially those on the budget committee and the speaker the issue was referred to the • Through rigorous trainings, the knowledge and Budget Committee to be incorporated in the ongoing responsibilities of MPs of their roles were enhanced amendments for the Budget Act. spear heading advocacy initiatives on the floor of Parliament. • UWOPAs efforts in advocating for Gender Responsive budgeting and planning in National sectors has • Women Members of Parliament influenced enhanced commitment from Parliament saw the government to create a maternal health vote and gender Budgeting program launched in Parliament influenced increased governments funding towards under the Parliament Budget office. maternal health. • UWOPA engaged in a rigorous country wide campaign • Under SNO project, UWOPA greatly increased in cancer screening and sensitization which was awareness of gender based violence, its causes and launched in Kabarole district. During this campaign, mitigation measures. monitoring visits were also made to government • There was also increased knowledge about the health facilities to establish the condition of services Domestic Violence Act and its provisions and MPs towards maternal and reproductive health. were able to appreciate the need to lobby for speedy • The development of UWOPA Strategic Plan and later enforcement of the law in order to address the plight on launching it paved way for professionalism and of the ordinary Ugandans. also gave UWOPA a strategic direction. The document • A consensus was reached to continue with has become a resource mobilization tool. consultations on Sexual Offences Bill and support • Round table formation and management has become was received from technical people to help with a spring board for UWOPA in the legislation processes. lobbying for its enactment into law.

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2.0 ENACTMENT OF LAWS

In the year 2012, and also in the second year of the 9th 2.1 Recruitment of male MPs to support parliament, UWOPA focused on lobbying for enactment Common Women’s Legislative Agenda of Marriage and Divorce Bill and the Sexual Offences Bills. Under these, dialogue meetings were held with male As a strategy of compounding and garnering support parliamentarians to recruit them into supporting the two from male parliamentarians, UWOPA through Irish Aid bills i.e. the marriage and divorce and the sexual offenses funds held a breakfast meeting at Imperial Royale hotel in bills. Also lobbying and advocacy with Ministries of . The meeting targeted select Male Members of Justice, Internal Affairs and Gender took force to ensure Parliament UWOPA Executive and some female Members that consensus on the sexual offences bill was built. of Parliament with the intention of forming a formidable force to fulfil the UWOPA’s legislative Agenda. Finally, engagement meetings with the Speaker of parliament, legal parliamentary committee and CSOs The activity brought together members of parliament to were held to beef up advocacy, support and cooperation discuss the contents of the Marriage and Divorce Bill, give in key strategic actions as per UWOPA strategic plan. their views and draw strategies on how we can collaborate to mobilize support from MPs, and other stakeholders to The Marriage and Divorce Bill was tabled on the floor ensure that the Bill is passed in this 9th Parliament. Indeed, of parliament for debate and the Sexual Offenses Bill is in the year 2012, male MPs on several occasion both on ready for presentation for the first reading. the floor of parliament and press conference backed up the women as they advanced advocacy on the bill.

Hon Tinkasimire making his submission during the discussion

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3.0 AMENDMENT OF LAWS

3.1 Review of Oil and gas Bill In the same year 2012, UWOPA members raised the matter on the floor of parliament to compel the relevant In 2012, UWOPA also ensured amendments of the Oil ministries to provide status report on the implementation and Petroleum Bill (now an act) of adopting 40% women of Domestic Voilence Act (DVA), Female Genital Mutilation representation of the Petroleum Authority. Through (FGM) and Trafficking in Persons Act (TIP). After several a breakfast meeting, UWOPA hired a consultant to dialogue meetings with line ministries, UWOPA worked review the oil and gas Bill and come up with proposed closely with these institutions to ensure development of amendments. Some of the areas of contention were; the regulations to operationalize implementation of the compensation procedures, information gap in data above laws. DVA regulation has since been finalized while management. The general principle to consider in this Bill TIP and FGM are in their final stages by relevant ministries. was gender equity. The entire discussions and debates on Oil and Gas Bill were funded by Irish Aid. The bill was 4.1 Policy analysis of the sexual offences Bill passed in December after UWOPA commendable efforts. (feedback forum)

3.2 Local Council Act Amendment In order to conceptualise the Sexual Offences Bill a policy analysis was done by UWOPA with support from UWOPA has been at the fore front in advocating for Plan Uganda. A consultant was contracted to carry out amendment of the Local Council Act to provide for this activity. The consultant highlighted that the Bill elections of local councils as they are the first point of consolidates the laws on sexual offences and makes reference for women in the villages. Once the local council provisions for new forms of sexual violence, including courts are in existence, women will be able to report sexual violence against men and boys among other issues. cases of domestic violence and other related cases. In The consultant also revealed that the Bill domesticates this UWOPA envisages a reduction in domestic and sexual specific provisions of the United Nations Convention to violence offences that are rampant today countrywide. Eliminate Discrimination Against Women, United Nations The LCs also ensure rule of law and since there is provision Convention of the Rights of a Child and the African Charter of women representation, women at grassroots level get on the Rights and the Welfare of a Child. The bill is in its their issues heard. And UWOPA members continue to final stages of development. push for these rather important elections. 4.2 Core team retreat on sexual offences Bill

Plan Uganda supported UWOPA to organise a retreat on 4.0 OVERSIGHT ON Sexual Offences Bill at Ridar Hotel on 10th -12th June. The IMPLEMENTATION OF GENDER meeting was intended to institute a team that would work on internalizing and polishing this Bill. The key technical LAWS persons were selected from the Sexual Offences Roundtable members and this team is chaired by the chair of the Sexual

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Offences Bill round table. The team has since been vibrant Affairs and police converged a meeting to review the whenever called on to forge a way forward on the Bill. implementation status of DVA, TIP, and FGM Acts. The meeting which took place in July at Imperial Royale was 4.3 Domestic Violence Act (DVA) coalition meeting funded by Plan Uganda and some of the recommendations of this meeting were; massive sensitization of the public In September, with support from Plan Uganda, UWOPA on these legislations, translation of the Acts/laws into organised a cost analysis of the DVA. While making a local languages, more shelter houses needed in all regions presentation, the consultant elaborated on the cost and CSOs were tasked to become specific on their roles in implementation of the DVA. He disclosed to MPs that 1.4 tackling domestic and sexual offences and violence. million episodes of violence were registered and about 6.3 Billion Uganda Shillings was required by Government to 4.5 Policy dialogue on Marriage and Divorce Bill ensure that the victims sought arbitration and treatment. with National stakeholders

He said the cost of implementation of the DVA was Since the Marriage and Divorce Bill was due for very high both at police and health centers. Centre for presentation in the 9th Parliament, UWOPA in partnership Domestic Violence Prevention (CEDOVIP), one of the with MGLSD held a dialogue envisaged to increase the CSOs which work closely with UWOPA in maintaining DVA coverage of advocacy engagement on the Bill in the 9th implementation was in attendence. Parliament. The workshop was facilitated by resource persons from Uganda Law Reform Commission (ULRC), 4.4 Status of implementation of Domestic MGLSD, Ministry of Justice and CSOs and the Marriage and Violence Act, Trafficking in Persons (TIP), and Divorce Bill coalition. The dialogue took place at Imperial Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Acts Royale Hotel. Much needed consensus in support of its enactment into law was achieved. UWOPA in partnership with Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development (MDLSD), Ministry of Internal 4.6 Engagement session with MGLSD to review status of DVA implementation

An engagement dialogue was held at Imperial Royale to review the measures in place for successful DVA implementation. This strategy was part of the many approaches put in place to bring to an end the issue of domestic violence in Uganda Some of the advocacy issues raised included; the need to put up the LC courts to help with overwhelming cases of domestic violence, prioritize involvement of men in the fight of domestic violence, increase community outreach and printing of police form 3 page| 6 NOMIC E ECO MPO D WE AN R E M C E A N E T P F , O E R C I A T L S .. L ...... U ...... U J ...... G ...... L ... A

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Members of Parliament actively participating in the discussion as the ministry of health and National medical stores Officials attentively listen in, taking on the issues.

5.0 OVERSIGHT ON POLICIES AND BUDGET PROCESS

5.1 Fact finding mission to National Medical supplies in all health centres is enforced country wide. Stores National Medical stores and ministry of health agreed A fact finding mission on availability of Mama Kits and on modalities and mechanisms for involving MPs in distribution chain for medical supplies to Government monitoring effective delivery in their respective districts. health facilities was carried out. This resulted from the women’ parliamentarians in the 8th parliament lobbying 5.3 Amendment of laws to infiltrate Gender efforts for government to increase funding for maternal Certificate health, the government secured a loan of 24 Billion towards maternal health improvement in the country. An amendment to the rules of procedure was moved to UWOPA made a series of follow-ups and engagements incorporate Gender Equity certificate for compliancy of to ensure that the ministry of health demonstrates its all national sectors in gender budgeting and planning. commitment to this cause. In a heated debate, women With guidance from members of the House especially Members of parliament demanded that constant those on the budget committee and the speaker the issue availability of mama kits and other general medical was referred to the Budget Committee to be incorporated page| 7 NOMIC E ECO MPO D WE AN R E M C E A N E T P F , O E R C I A T L S .. L ...... U ...... U J ...... G ...... L ... A

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in the ongoing amendments for the Budget Act. 5.7 Exchange visit on Gender Responsive Budgeting 5.4 Engendering parliamentary structures Annually, UWOPA carries out exchange visits to compare UWOPA members in solidarity asked the Speaker to put best practices of other legislation process and in up a baby care center to enable members of parliament particularly, Gender Responsive Budgeting with other to breast feed while at parliament to avoid interruptions countries. With support from UN Women, UWOPA visited if the House sittings are prolonged. This was foreseen as the National a strategy to improvise for the child bearing MPs to do their work more efficiently. The space for the center has Assembly of Ghana. The rationale for visiting particularly been allocated and plans to establish it are underway.5.5 Ghana was that their parliament has much in common Health monitoring visits with our parliamentary and legislative processes including having a woman speaker in 2012. Following the fact finding mission to National Mediacal Stores, UWOPA in collaboration with Ministry of Health The delegation was headed by the UWOPA Publicity was able to carry out health monitoring visits to health Secretary. The visit was very successful and issues of centres in the regions of West Nile, Acholi and Lango, Gender Responsive Budgeting were shared including Teso, Karamoja, Bugisu, Bukedi, Teso, Busoga, Central. establishing of a Parliamentary Centre to handle some of Other regions included; Bunyoro, Toro/Rwenzori, Ankole, the gender aspects as it is a case in Ghana. and Kigezi. The joint supervision exercise was to assess the status of Maternal Health services and the needs Another exchange visit on GRB took place in Istanbul, in 89 districts in Uganda. The visits were also geared to Turkey. The head of delegation was UWOPA chairperson. ascertain accessibility of Mama kits and other hospital The Ugandan delegation learnt that the Turkey Parliament supplies in the health centres. The reports from the MPs has only one woman Chairperson out of 21 chairpersons showed immense gaps in health centers and in fact most and women constitute 14% in Parliament. The country health centres were reportedly dilapidated and many in a is undergoing a Constitutional review and women are sorry state that put patients’ lives in danger. Findings from agitating for quotas in the Constitution. The Turkey this monitoring formed a basis for advocancy for increase Parliament applauded Uganda for achievements gained in the budget for the health sector in the financial 2012- in increasing women’s involvement in politics 2013.

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6.0 CAPACITY BUILDING AND ENHANCING OF WOMEN AND INVOLVEMENT IN GENDER LAWS

6.1 Sensitization of UWOPA members on two trainings were planned in response to the need Marriage and Divorce Bill to concretise the rule of procedure in the Ugandan Parliament reserving 40% of all seats for chairpersons and Following the recommendations made in the first male deputy chairpersons of committees for women MPs. The engagement session at a breakfast meeting in March, UK parliamentarians exchanged and shared experiences UWOPA conducted a half day capacity building training and developed ideas for building capacity, experience session for 60 women members of the 9th parliament and confidence of members of parliament in future. on the Marriage and Divorce Bill. The session was geared towards generating consensus in regard to the 6.3 Held meeting and Hosted PEP coalition ‘contentious’ clauses in the Bill. During this meeting the members rationale for particular clauses in the bill was explained which was enhanced with deeper understanding and UWOPA hosted a Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) erosion of persistent myths and perceptions around the coalition meeting in December with DVA roundtable Bill. members to draw actions to accelerate implementation of the PEP policy especially during reporting of sexual 6.2 Enhancing Leadership skills for Women violence cases. The meeting recommended that the chairperson and vice chairpersons on policy be made more user friendly to the victims and various committees the law enforcers, and also pledged to re-engage with relevant leaders to create awareness of PEP policy and Since UWOPA key mandate is to empower women strategy. Members of Parliament, a two day workshop was carried out on leadership skills and this time round, the 6.4 Gender Responsive Budgeting training women Chairperson and Vice Chair Persons on various parliamentary committees were targeted. The training As part of the campaign to influence budgetary processes, focused on the use of Committees in Parliamentary work; UWOPA carried out training for its members on the lobbying, advocacy and the functions of Parliamentary legislation and oversight roles of parliament, introducing committees; the challenge of balancing family, personal gender budgeting in parliament and members were and constituency demands while also attending to sensitized on the importance of introducing a gender equity Parliamentary duties; and the need to manage media certificate in parliamentary work. This training took place relations in Parliament. This took place at the Sheraton a t p a r l i a m e n t . O t h e r e x p e r i e n c e s w e r e d r a w n f r o m t h e Hotel Kampala. learning visit to Rwanda on gender budgeting. The training was attended by 90 participants at the Parliamentary A subsequent meeting was held to build on the pervious conference centre facilitated by trainers from the training and this was facilitated by House of Lords Parliamentary Budget office Clerk and the CPA UK Southern and East Africa It took place in Munyonyo, Uganda on 20-21 September. The

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7.0 NETWORKING WITH CSO TO HARMONISE STRATEGIES

7.1 Cancer screening Exercise

Cancer screening was marked as of the biggest events UWOPA held in 2012. UWOPA in partnership with Uganda Women’s Health Initiative and with support from Planning Development Coordination Office organised campaigns on free cancer screening and sensitization country wide. A total of 111 women were diagnosed with breast and cervical cancer in 11 districts. The screening was done in three phases and the first district to conduct cancer screening was Wakiso district in the previous year. The second phase covered Western Uganda-in Kabarole, Kamwenge and Ibanda in March 2012. And lastly, the third phase covered West Nile region with districts of Yumbe, Arua, Zombo, Bukedea, Ngora, Kumi (Iteso region), Gulu- Women waiting under the mango trees to be screened by health Acholi and Oyam-lango. The exercise was intended to staff. Photo by Maya Binyam. ensure more systematic cancer screening and treatment and also lobby Government to ensure that Ministry of Health scales up services for cancer diagnosis and treatment. The women who were diagnosed with breast The DMO Kamwenge District addressing participants at and cervical cancer were referred to bigger hospitals and Nyabani Health Centre III are now undergoing treatment.

7.2 Harmonization meeting on Sexual Offences Bill (SOB)

Since SOB is one of the key priorities of women Parliamentarians in the 9th Parliament, UWOPA saw it fit to call on all stakeholders of the bill to roll out a strategy on how the bill should be tackled. The key stakeholders working on the bill included CEDOVIP, Uganda Law Reform Commission, Law Uganda and line ministries. As a result a smaller group was constituted to scrutinize the bill and make adjustments. This process took place with support from Plan Uganda, in September at Shanghai Restaurant. In consultation with Plan Uganda, a documentary on page| 10 NOMIC E ECO MPO D WE AN R E M C E A N E T P F , O E R C I A T L S .. L ...... U ...... U J ...... G ...... L ... A

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Hon. Lilly Adong, woman member of parliament Nwoya district addressing the peace committees in Atiak sub-county headquarters cases of women and men who have fallen victim to sexual offences is in the offing to further support advocacy on the bill.

7.3 Peace Building Process and Restoration in Northern Uganda

UWOPA patterned with ACORD international in the Chairman LC5 Nwoya district giving his opening remarks implementation of the 5 years peace building project during the community dialogue in Anaka sub-county. ‘’Wagwok Kuc’’ in Acholi sub-region in the four sub- counties of Anaka, Atiak, Adilang and Omot with funding from GEZA /Austrian Development Cooperation. Some of the activities that were carried out included; media campaign, community dialogue sessions, site visits in Omot and Anaka and inter exchange visits in Adilang, Agago District. The projected was supervised by the area MPs in the targeted districts.

During these community dialogue sessions and coordination meetings, project coordinators and peace committees were able to reflect on the project goals, guide on implementation as well as monitoring of the entire project.The focus of the project was promotion of sustainable peace in the region.

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A group photo of women historical and current activists after dinning with the President at Sheraton Hotel

7.4 Women Achievers Dinner/celebrating 50 the 50 years of women activism and resilience to enhance years of independence the women movement. The function was honoured by His Excellency, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. This In order to strengthen linkages and collaborations event was rated by the media houses as first and one of between women legislature and politicians, Irish Aid its kinds for it brought together grassroots women and funded UWOPA to carry out an annual women minister’s women achievers in categories of 1st woman minister, forum to concretize solidarity and harmonious relations MP, EALA legislator, Woman Vice President. During the between women MPs and Women Ministers. event UWOPA and UWONET presented the advocacy issues to H.E the President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for UWOPA took advantage of this gathering to also celebrate action.

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8.0 MEDIA BRIEFINGS, CONSULTATIONS AND CAMPAIGNS

8.1 Press Conference on the release of Kooky country wide. The strips reached a wide spectrum of Sharma readers and some media and medical practitioners and CSOs like Reproductive Health Uganda approached After the release of Kooky Sharma (who was imprisoned UWOPA on possible future partnerships. for murdering his wife), UWOPA organised a press conference with Civil Society partners for actions against 8.4 Radio and TV talk shows him since he was formerly on a life sentence. The press conference was held on 28th March 2012 in the member’s UWOPA with support from POPSEC ran a media lounge, Parliament. UWOPA called on the President to campaign on TV and radio stations. The TV talk shows review his decision of releasing Kooky especially in regard were held on Wavah Broadcasting Services and Uganda to how it impacts negatively on the fight against Gender Broadcasting Coorporation televisions in September and Based Violence and the effective implementation of the May respectively. The issues that were broadly discussed Domestic Violence Act. included; gender based and domestic violence related laws, maternal and reproductive rights. These shows were 8.2 Press conference on the status of DVA set to ensure that maternal mortality rates are reduced Implementation and that domestic violence against women in Uganda is decapitated. With lots of feedback from the viewership, A press briefing was held at Parliament as a recommendation UWOPA was able to integrate the public views in their made at the stakeholder’s harmonization meeting with legislative agenda. Also three radio talk shows were held MGLSD. The briefing was aimed to bring the media on in Bunyoro (Nehi FM), Karamoja (Nenha FM), Central board for correct and accurate reporting on DVA, but (CBS) between May and July 2012 on the same campaign. most importantly to inform them about the extent of the Act’s implementation. At the same occasion, key advocacy 8.5 Press briefings on the Health Budget issues were brought out for the media attention some of 2012/2013 FY which included acquisition of police forms and follow up by victims after violence. The health budget of the national budget 2012/13 became the sturdiest fight in the history of UWOPA advocacy. 8.3 Press strips /statements In the months of August and September, Women MPs were at the frontline of debates as legislators took on With support from UNFPA/Population Secretariat government to increase the health budget. Through (POPOSEC), UWOPA published news strips on domestic several press briefings UWOPA was able to inform the violence and reproductive health rights in the public on the need to increase the health budget. The and the . This was to engage the media Govt was able to include budget for recruitment of staff and the public on gender related laws domestic violence for 49 Health Centre IVs and 19 for Health Centre IIIs and and reproductive rights and to also create awareness also increased doctors pay which was not done previously. and advocate for improved health care service delivery

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8.6 Media campaign in Northern Uganda 9.0 INSTITUTIONAL UWOPA in partnership with ACORD run a media campaign STRENGTHENING with radio talk shows, newspaper strips, and spot Adverts in a bid to end conflicts in Northern Uganda. Radio talk 9.1 Launch of the UWOPA strategic plan (2011- shows were held in Gulu at Rupiny FM. Radio spot Ads 2016) were also run on Rupiny FM on peace building strategies and its benefits. Since the media campaign was localised, The inauguration of UWOPA Strategic Plan (2011- the messages were passed on easily to the listenership 2016) kick-started implementation of its programs in and readership. The campaign was a reminder of peace the 9th Parliament in 2012. Through Irish Aid, UWOPA restoration process and helped to bring together all brought together close to 250 participants from CSOs, stakeholders in the peace building processes. Parliamentary forums, media, embassies and donors. The colorful event took place at Imperial Royale Hotel. 8.7 Printing of I.E.C materials The strategic document has since improved the image of UWOPA and gave it a strategic direction for the coming A number of advocacy materials were printed and years. disseminated. These documents helped UWOPA to smoothen coordination and communication between the secretariat, donors and UWOPA members.

No. Item printed No. of copies Funding

1 Brochure 1000 DGF

2 Strategic plan 500 Irish Aid

3 Banners 2 GEZA/DGF

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Consultant taking executive and staff through training sessions at Lweza Serena Hotel

9.2 Developing financial and human resource Communications and Advocacy officer and the manuals Administrative Assistant were filled. To ensure that the staff gets acquainted with UWOPA mandate, Irish The process of reviewing the existing human resource Aid funded the staff induction. The Orientation of new manual was tackled and these documents will be staff and the executive members of UWOPA took place finalized, printed and disseminated to donors, and line September at Serena Hotel Lweza. The workshop was ministries. A technical person was also contracted to intended to induct members and staff of the association develop a financial and regulatory policy document to and also introduce the new members on board. guide finances in UWOPA. These two documents once finalized will be one of the biggest steps of instituting a level of professionalism and a good financial mechanism in the association. 9.5 Development of an M&E system

9.3 Orientation/induction of new staff In order for UWOPA to be able to effectively run its programs, it was found crucial to develop a quality M&E In August, UWOPA undertook a recruitment exercise system. The M & E system will enable members, senior and positions including Programs Coordinator, the management and the secretariat to track the progress

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of the organization’s activities, enhance performance UWOPA membership has used its voices to demand and impact, and identify areas where corrective action is and challenge status quo policies of government and required during implementation of activities. The M & E other stakeholders. system highlights UWOPAs strategic direction, expected results, key out comes, activities and inputs for the entire • UWOPA has built a strong linkage and entry for UWOPA programs. It also clearly stipulates the roles of CSOs to engage and influence the higher structures the different organs of the institution in the monitoring of policy making i.e. parliament. As such strong process and reporting time lines. networks and coalitions have been built. UWOPA has also taken a key role in public education and 9.6 M&E training of program staff and the awareness creation to promote women’s rights and Executive prevent Violence against Women. UWOPA needs quality and timely information on its 10.0 CHALLENGES progress towards achieving its stated objectives, and also to become a credible organization. It is on this • Gender stereo types still have a lot of influence on basis that UWOPA secured funds from DGF and hired a the MPs which makes lobbying for enactment and consultant who trained staff on results-based monitoring implementation of gender laws hard and evaluation (M&E). From Monitoring, the organization would get information on where its projects and • MPs busy schedules affects mobilization as some interventions are at any given time (and over an extended of them are not easily available when required for period) relative to its stated targets and outcome goals. implementation of activities

9.7 Purchase of accounting package (quick • Government has not yet funded the implementation books) of DVA and it is NGOs mostly doing the work which is not a very sustainable strategy. In addition to strengthening the M&E systems, DGF also supported UWOPA to purchased and train the Accountant 11.0 CONCLUSION an accounting package-Quick book to improve the accounting system. This has improved financial reporting In the year 2012, UWOPA showcased a high degree of systems and production of timely reports.10.0 BEST affirmative leadership and committment in the leglsative PRACTICES and budgetary processs. And in this, we were able to influence budget processes, draft new legislations and • The participation of UWOPA in major events like also advocacte for SOB and the Marriage and Divorce Bill. International Women’s Day, 16 days of activism UWOPA was also able to increase its resource base and against violence, World AIDS day, International Day partnerships. of Peace 2012 continues to be a key platform that page| 16 NOMIC E ECO MPO D WE AN R E M C E A N E T P F , O E R C I A T L S .. L ...... U ...... U J ...... G ...... L ... A

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TOTAL ANNUAL INCOME BY FUNDERS

149,662,200

126,654,863

43,090,000

32,000,000 25,490,000 25,579,856 18,800,000 11,085,000

ZA DA E DGF Aid BHC 2012 G N PDCO Irish UGA

PLAN UNFPA/POPSEC Subscription

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Expenditure Summary

Peace building progarms, Administration., 92,484,700 , 25,250,600 , 21% 6%

Outreach programms, 20,800,000 , 5%

Capacity buliding programs, 293,826,619 , 68%

LIST OF DONORS

1. Plan Uganda 4. Population Secretariat/UNFPA

2. Democratic Gorvernance Fund (DGF) 5. Irish Aid

3. British High Commission 6. GEZA-Austrian Development Cooperation page| 18 EXECUTIVE MEMBERS IN THE 9TH PARLIAMENT (2011-2013)

Nyakikongoro Rosemary Vice Chairperson

Akello Franca Judith Komuhangi Margaret Kwiyucwiny Grace Freedom General Secretary Treasurer Publicity Secretary

Namara Grace Nakayenze Connie Galiwango Auma Juliana Modest Boona Emma Central Region Eastern Region Northern Region Western Region

Amoding Monicah Ababiku Jesca Nabulya Theopista Ssentongo Capt. Lakot Susan Youth PWDS Worker UPDF Promoting Social Justice, Peace and Economic Empowerment for all Ugandans

Parliament Building Room E 2 19; Ext. 608 P.O Box 7178 Kampala. Tel: 256-41-233 244 Email: [email protected] Website: www.uwopa.go.ug