ETHICS: Women Leaders Demand For Recognition Amidst Inadequate Funding Gaps

By PATRICK JARAMOGI

KAMPALA Uganda [ SHIFT MEDIA] Women Leaders from Kampala are demanding recognition amidst the backdrop of inadequate funding from Government.

The Women Councilors drawn from the five divisions of Nakawa, Kampala Central, Makindye, Lubaga and Kawempe also lambasted journalists whom they described as “Corrupt”, “extortionist” and “Vendors”.

The “bitter” women leaders echoed their sentiments during the opening of a two day Training on Media and information Literacy for inclusive and Peaceful Elections in Uganda held at Hotel Africana in Kampala.The media training is organised by the Africa Freedom of Information Center (AFIC), in partnership with the Ministry of Gender Labor and Social Development as well as UNESCO and Uganda Electoral Commission.

“We as women leaders are facing numerous challenges such as lack of recognition and inadequate funding. It’s our appeal to President Museveni to make our presence as women Councilors known,” said Grace Kanyike the Chairperson Women’s Council Elderly Kampala Division.

Joy Kiconco Chairperson Women Council Kampala Central said the inadequate funds has also made them fail to articulate their issues in media since most journalists always demand for money from them.

 

The State Minister for Gender and Culture Hon Peace Mutuzo urged the Women leaders to remain solid amidst the low funding. “Peace during elections is critical for effective for participation. When there is violence, some people may fear to come out and exercise their rights to vote,” said Mutuzo.

The Minister told the women leaders to stand firm and voice out their issues especially in the error of mushrooming homosexuality in Ugandan schools.

She said women are always not at the center of the civic education exercise.

” I hate to hear this issue of special interest groups, we as women shouldn’t be categorized as such,” she said

The Executive Director Africa Freedom of Information Center Gilbert Sendugwa noted that Uganda’s electoral process is characterized by extra judicial killings and destruction of property. “Violence creates an environment of fear hence scaring away citizens from their right to support and vote candidates of their choice,” said Sendugwa. He said that 40% of registered voters didn’t cast their votes due to intimidation.

Charles Draceabo the National Coordinator UNESCO in Uganda said UNESCO is committed to towards peace during elections. “War starts on the mind of men and women. To being peace, you have to change the mind of men and women through peace,” he said.

Paul Bukenya who represented the Chairperson Uganda Electoral Commission noted that peace is key in shaping positive elections.

Beatrice Mugambe from United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said through the Strengthening Electoral Process in Uganda (SEPU) program capacity building has been created for key institutions dealing with elections.