News

PRESS STATEMENT Saturday 21, 2012

MEDIA women join the rest of Ugandans to congratulate Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi and Buganda Kingdom upon getting another son and prince. However as a gender sensitive media and as a human rights organisation we have issues to raise upon this new development.

Uganda Media Women’s Association (UMWA)is issuing this statement at the risk of annoying and angering many people within and without the kingdom but wrong things be talked about . If we are to talk about development we should learn to do positive criticism by talking about wrong things in our society.

UMWA is aware just like many other people that Uganda is not a monarchy but a republic governed by a constitution which provides for four types of marriages namely church or civil, Hindu, Islamic and customary. The 1995 constitution also provides for one woman one man and places a woman at the same level with a man among other things. It’s under this constitution that the King and queen, Sylvia Nagginda made their marriage vows in 1999.

The questions that quickly arise here is whether our dear King is above the law! Has the marriage institution lost meaning? Yes the Kabaka Mutebi is a cultural leader but what supersedes the other? Culture or Law? By accepting to wed in the church both the Kabaka and Nnabagereka are expected to tow the line.

More so UMWA is disturbed and saddened by the pretence of the church leaders particularly those who officiated and witnessed the royal wedding ceremony. They have come out openly to glorify the whole issue yet day in and day out they preach against having children out of wed lock and breaking marriage vows. What has happened to them with this particular case? What does this indicate and why has the women’s movement and the human rights defenders gone silent on this matter?

It is not only the queen mother that is being humiliated and belittled in this saga but also the women’s movement and its allies that support the eliminations of all forms of violence against women. Fathering a baby by the Kabaka is one thing and the way the news was announced is another. No regard was taken of the queen‘s feeling in making the announcement whatsoever. Isn’t there a better way the issue should have been handled without hurting the feelings of a wedded wife who is highly placed at the national and international scene?

Apart from her work in supporting education of the girl child she is a patron of various organizations and heads the Nnabagereka Development Trust Foundation. She is also involved in campaigns to bridge the gender gap within the education system and other sectors. Despite being a modern queen the Nnabagereka embraces cultural values and traditions that make a good woman in Buganda.

However she has always stressed that these traditions should be handled in a way that the rights of women and girls are not violated. The news of a new prince came at a time when Makerere University had just commended her for her role in the development process of this country. Her work to empower young girls through the Kisakate program can not be over emphasized. What then is she supposed to tell them and all the women who look up to her as a role model after this scenario?

We are left wondering about the king’s stance on issues of HIV and Family planning, It is also gives us some pointers on the Kingdom’s regard for girl children and women in general. The mother of the new prince is also not spared in this because she has already received her share of humiliation. Apart from saying she belongs to the Nsenene clan, nothing tangible is said about her. She’s just another property stacked away in a briefcase!

As we 50 years of our country’s independence, we in the women’s movement should take note of the anti hill that is still ahead of us to end the ill treatment and violence against women. Many women out there are suffering the same blow in silence. There are many achievements but a lot more still needs to be done. The struggle continues but we need more stamina, new approaches and strategies.

UMWA is a voluntary, registered non-governmental umbrella organization for female journalists and women involved in information management from both government and private organizations. We are driven by a mission to enhance the visibility and status of women and other marginalized groups through awareness creation, capacity strengthening, networking and advocacy, to realize gender equality. Our vision is to see a nation of women, men, girls and boys making informed decisions for gender equality and social justice.

PROJECT CONCEPT

HEALTH PRIORITIES FOR YOUTH PROJECT IN MUKONO DISTRICT (HP4YOUTH)

Introduction:

Uganda Media Women’s Association (UMWA) in partnership with Uganda Youth Development Link (UYDEL) is implementing the above mentioned project with emphasis on Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) for young people. This action is supported by DSW through the Healthy Action programme. It seeks to compliment the activities of DSW on health budget studies and civic education on sexual and reproductive health for young people. This is an advocacy project which will engage decision makers at the district and sub-county level to prioritize and increase resource allocation towards SRH information and services for young people in health budgets.

The overall objective is to increase access to and utilization of friendly SRH information and services for improved quality of life and development among young people. Apart from the above activity, the overall objective will be achieved through other activities that have been lined up for a period of eight months. It’s anticipated that, among other things, the project will result into reduced teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS.

Paying attention to the SRH needs of young people who form more than half of the country’s population, may not only bend the HIV/AIDS curve but will tremendously reduce on the population growth burden , alleviate the burden of infant and maternal morbidity and mortality rates, improve the status of women and girls, reduce school drop outs and reduce poverty.

Background to the project:

The importance of investing in health and young people’s SRH in particular has been under estimated at national and district levels in Uganda. Young people face various barriers in accessing information and services, SRH inclusive. For young people in rural, poor and urban slum communities face unique challenges such that access and utilization of even the few available services becomes difficult. The challenges range from the distance to the health facilities to the costly services and unfriendly service providers among other things.

As a result young people carry the biggest burden of disease and have the poorest SRH and HIV indicators. . Adolescent pregnancy is on the high side leading to unsafe abortion and maternal death. The World Health Organization reports indicate that Uganda’s maternal mortality rate stand at 435 per 100,000 live births and that teenage pregnancies contribute more than half of the mothers who die while giving life and who suffer fistula.

Despite the government’s numerous policies and programs geared towards improving SRH and rights of young people, much remains on paper. That’s why there are limited youth friendly services in government health care facilities. Mukono district has a sizeable amount of investment in the health sector (13%) but does not have specific reproductive health activities in the work plan 2008/9. This implies that SRH issues for young people were either not addressed at all or were lost among other competing priorities.

The Health Priorities for Youth project (HP4Youth) is to be undertaken against this background to advocate for increased prioritization and investment towards SRH of young men and women. The action will also contribute to the Health Action projects of increasing commitments at local government levels for SRH as well as accelerating achievement of MDGs 3, 5 and 6.

Project activities:

This project shall be implemented in Mukono at district level and 5 selected sub counties.

The following are specific advocacy activities that will be implemented in a period of 8 months (September 2011- March 2012).

Orientation/sensitization meetings for district and sub-county leaders.
Conduct dialogues at district and sub county levels with District leadership, sub county leadership, Health service providers, youth and opinion leaders/members in selected communities.
Organize/conduct music dance and drama exhibition with community youth groups to identify and voice SRH concerns of young people from their own perspective.
Develop and disseminate advocacy messages (IEC materials, radio spots, radio programmes and talk shows on SRH on radio and print materials

About UMWA and UYDEL:

Uganda Media Women’s Association (UMWA) is an association of media women established in 1983 with a mission to enhance the status and visibility of women/girls and other marginalized groups through advocacy, capacity building, and awareness creation and networking to realize gender equality. UMWA believes that information is an important tool for sustainable development and putting issues of marginalized people on the public agenda as a critical matter hence the HP4Youth project.

The organization runs advocacy and awareness campaigns on women and girls rights including health rights on its radio station 101.7 Mama FM and has experience in working with communities to enhance their skills to claim for their rights, participate in planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of developmental programs.

Uganda Youth Development Link (UYDEL) on the other hand is a youth serving organization established in 1993 to provide cognitive livelihood and life skills for the empowerment of young people into useful citizens of Uganda. Like UMWA, UYDEL has implemented several health programs in many parts of the country including Mukono. Through its interventions in Mukono, institutions working with youth on SRH have been mobilized and their capacity to provide integrated HIV and SRH services to young people enhanced.

The implementing team looks forward for positive support and participation from stakeholders including Mukono district leadership, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) local leaders, youth, private sector and general community in this project.

Ndumba Lista

Kampala/15/11/2011……… Community dialogue by UMWA

Couples should always ensure that they go together for HIV/AIDS testing if the pandemic is to be curbed in the country, a senior medical clinical officer has said.

Patrick Kakande from the Directorate of health services, Mukono district adds that men should accompany their wives when going for antenatal check-up so that they can both use the opportunity be tested for HIV/AIDS. He emphasizes the need for pregnant mothers to test for HIV/AIDS, to prevent mother to child transmission.

He made the remarks during the one day community dialogue meeting on young people’s sexual and reproductive health organized by Uganda Media Women’s Association(UMWA) in partnership with Uganda Youth Development Link(UYDEL) and German Foundation for World Population(DSW) .

He said that it is important for couples to know their status such that if found positive, they start medication before it’s too late. The health officer bemoaned the high numbers of pregnant mothers seeking services from traditional birth attendants instead of professional staff in health centers. He said this puts the life of the mother, especially young mother, and the child in danger.

Kakande cited the cutting the umbilical cord as the most dangerous process where a possibility of transmission may occur. Representing the chief guest at the function, the district Secretary for Health, Gender and community based services Anna Maria Lubuulwa urged parents to be friendly to their children and discuss with them health reproductive issues without fear.

She said parents should spare time in their busy schedule to talk to their children and also respond to their concerns regarding sexual and reproductive health (SRH). Lubuulwa noted that on many occasions young people get wrong or confusing information from their peers that lead them into wrong doing, teenage pregnancy and contraction of sexually transmitted diseases like HIV/AIDS.

She commended UMWA and its partners for organizing the meeting but most of all for engaging district and sub-county decision makers in Mukono to prioritize and increase resource allocation towards young people’s sexual and reproductive health in their budgets and work plans. Lubuulwa was franked by UMWA Communications officer, Sarah Muwanga who said appealed to parents to overcome stigma due to culture and start talking to their children about reproductive health issues. She noted that the importance of investing in young people’s health and SRH in particular has been under estimated at national and lower levels leading to teenage pregnancies, unsafe abortion, early marriages, sexual violence and poverty among other things.

The dialogue held at Nakanyonyi primary school play grounds attracted more than 250 participants including district and sub-county leaders, the youth, health service providers, parents and the general community. Among other things young people demanded for special wards to be allocated to them at government health centers just like it has been done to children, women and men.

Ends……

ONGOING

Community Dialogue in Wakiso and Kiboga with leaders conducted by ISF team from 20th-22nd November .

Network meeting by leaders in both Wakiso and Kiboga conducted by ISF team On 15th and 17th November

Community dialogue in Nabbale Subcounty Mukono District supported by DSW 12th Novemeber 2011

Refresher training of peers out of school on prevention of domestic violence in Kyankwanzi and Wakiso districts by ISF project team.

Training of Mama presenters and reporters on production and presentation skills by RNTC from 17th-27th October.

By Sarah Muwanga October 18^th, 2011

Uganda Media Women’s Association (UMWA) and its partners; German Foundation for World Population (DSW) and Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU), joined the rest of Ugandans to mark Safe motherhood day on October 17^th, 2011. It was celebrated under the theme “Investing in Safe Motherhood for better Livelihoods”. The function was held in Luweero District and attended by various stakeholders in the health sector especially on issues of reproductive health.

Earlier on UMWA attended a press conference on maternal health organized by DSW and the Association of Women Parliamentarians at parliament on October 14^th, 2011. A statement issued to members of the press pointed out severe bleeding, infection, high blood pressure, obstructed labour and unsafe abortion as the major direct causes of maternal death. The problem is made worse by a weak health system, poverty and the effects of HIV/AIDS.

This financial year the government has allocated sh24 billion for maternal health. “We as members of parliament together with our partners call upon the government to ensure that the funds allocated are actually spent on providing critical maternal health services. As members of parliament, we undertake to exercise our oversight role on maternal health and will keenly follow up the funds allocated to maternal health and hold the government accountable in fulfilling its role in promoting and protecting the health of our mothers”, the statement read.

While the country has made progress in reducing maternal deaths, having a baby in Uganda today still carries a high risk of death and disability, the statement added. Every day, approximately 16 women die from causes related to pregnancy and childbirth; this translates to about 6000 deaths each year. For every woman who dies, 30 are left with debilitating disabilities

The Director General Health Services in the Ministry of Health who was the chief guest during Safe Motherhood day said high fertility rates exposes women to many health problems some of which lead to death. Dr. Jane Aceng added that a large family puts a strain not only of the family’s resources but the country’s resources and programs. She said only 24% of the population uses contraceptives noting that this year’s theme was designed to ensure that mothers survive child birth.

People enjoyed free services during the day which included malaria and HIV testing, screening of breast and cervical cancer as well as free ante natal check ups for pregnant women. . Among important participants were the ministry of health, Uganda Red Cross Society, Stop Malaria Project, AMREF, UNFPA, WHO, Marie Stopes . USAID, Engender Health, Uganda Private Midwives Association, Communication for Development Foundation Uganda and Uganda Blood Transfusion Services

Luweero district Chairman Haji Nadduli was challenged to champion the use of Family Planning in the country and to withdraw his remarks that encourage couples to have many children. The district boss has been quoted several times urging couples to have as many children and fill the vacant land available in Uganda. He believes in the Koran which says every child comes on earth with their special ‘luck’

Several speakers including the chief guest said Nadduli’s statements were ‘confusing’ and were likely to derail efforts to promote contraceptive use in the country. Dr. Oceng said it was high time for Nadduli to join the campaign on the use of contraceptives and become one of its champions. “ High fertility rate (6.7) among Ugandan women is among the causes of complications and death during child birth”, the chief guest emphasized.

The Country representative of the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), M/s Janet Jackson urged stakeholders in Family Planning and Reproductive Health to stick to one message and avoid many and contradicting messages. A group of women parliamentarians in support improved Maternal Health stormed the event and took turns to explain the benefits of investing in the sector. They were led by area woman MP Rebbecca Nalwanga who noted that men should love their wives more during pregnancy. Other MPs include Ruth Nvumeta Kavuma (Kalangala), Nyombi Nansubuga(Kayunga), Namara Grace (Lyantonde), and Mariam Nalubega ( Butambala)

Presenting his case Haji Nadduli said the right person to blame for the 16 women dying in childbirth everyday in Uganda is government which has failed to take services nearer to the people, supply health centers with adequate medicine and health workers. He said government has failed to allocate the 15% of the budget in the health sector as committed in the Abuja declaration and instead puts only 7%.

He mentioned that his council had resolved to embark on a mobile clinic program to ensure that services are taken nearer to the grassroots people. He pointed out that factors that limit women from accessing the few health services include distance to health centers, poor attitudes by nurses and doctors; heavy work load in the gardens and ignorance on the type of reproductive services available ..

Dr Aceng said the country needs another 5000 midwives to strengthen the role of the existing ones and to reduce maternal and infant deaths. She revealed government’s plans that will see midwives placed at Health Centre II and a campaign to encourage pregnant women to deliver from health centers intensified. Aceng emphasized male involvement in the campaign to promote Safe Motherhood noting that a man should keep besides his wife throughout pregnancy.

A book called the Midwifery Report was launched during the function while a scheme to facilitate members of the Village Health team was also launched and bicycles given out to ease their transport into the rural communities.

Facts about Maternal death in Uganda:

Only 42% of all pregnant women in Uganda have access to skilled delivery
According to UNICEF and WHO, the risk of a Ugandan woman dying as a result of pregnancy or childbirth complication during her lifetime is one in 35 compared to 1 in 4,300 in developed countries
Adolescents face a higher risk of complications and death as a result of pregnancy than older women. Complications such as obstructed labour and fistula (leakage of urine or faces from the private parts) are five times higher among young women below 18 than those over 18.

With only four years left to achieve the targets of the Millennium Development Goals, it is critical that we take action now to save our mothers.

Improving maternal health is not impossible; there is strong evidence that investing in the health of women has several benefits for the individual women, the community and the country as a whole.

By investing in maternal health Uganda would have fewer unintended pregnancies and abortions, fewer deaths among mothers and their newborns; healthier mothers and children; increased savings at individual, community and country level.

The health of women is not the responsibility of the health sector alone. It is vital that other sectors invest in programs that will uplift the socio-economic status of women. Actions must be taken that will improve women’s education, reduce gender inequalities and other barriers that prevent women from accessing maternal health services.

Policymakers and planners in the health sector must strengthen reproductive health systems and make services accessible to all women.

Specifically they should take the following actions:

Scale up and strengthen family planning programmes to prevent unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions as well as enable women space their births for the good health of the mother and child

Ensure focused antenatal care and skilled attendance at birth for all women
Increase access to Emergency obstetric Care
strength maternal death audits to ensure that

Recruit and train more midwives

Promote access to reproductive health services and information by young people

UMWA’s Second news letter publication

Umwa News2

28^th August-2^nd September

EAGWEN Network workshop at Namirembe Guest House

Monthly Update June – July, 2011

Greetings from the Secretariat!

Hope this communications finds all of you well. Once again we bring you updates on the events and activities taking place in and at UMWA as well as the up-coming ones. This is to fulfill our commitment to keep you abreast of the latest happenings in the organization. But first, we inform you about some of the recent past events.

PAST EVENTS

- Servicing and re-earthling of UMWA premises was done as part of the measures to tighten security of lives and property.

- Training grassroots women, from Kisaasi and the neighboring communities, to raise awareness on political participation. During the two days, women were educated on what and how to demand from their leaders, the roles of leaders at various levels and the role of the electorate. The participants went home ready to engage more in the governance of their country.

- Produced the seventh issue of GWEN Newspaper. UMWA belongs to a partnership called the East African Grassroots Women Empowerment Network (EAGWEN) which produces the GWEN publication with support from FOKUS, a Norwegian organization. The network that comprises four non –governmental organizations works to address the needs of grassroots women and marginalized groups in general.

- Sanyu Namusaazi attended a workshop on an initiative to improve NGO work in Uganda under the Quality Assurance Certification Mechanism (QUAM). The system aims at promoting adherence of generally acceptable ethical standards and operational norms. The QUAM sets principles and standards of behavior for responsible practice to protect the credibility and integrity of NGOs and their networks.

- Produced second edition of The Other Voice in the year 2011 . This is an advocacy and lobbying newspaper published by UMWA with the aim of promoting gender sensitive policies/programs as well as sensitizing the public on gender issues in relation to the country’s development. In our latest issue we explore the environment that human rights defenders, including journalists and women activists, are exposed to. We also look at violations against people with disabilities and a unique activist who communicates social evils through art. Incase you missed a copy, check our website to find out more on these and more stories.

- Developed and published 1^st edition of UMWA newsletter. It is a monthly publication that aims at enhancing internal communication and networking. All members and staff are welcome to contribute project or personal activities and achievements.

- Produced radio advocacy programs and Live outside broadcast with grassroots people on prevention of domestic violence as part of the activities in the Gender and Education Department. Other activities included a follow up of Peer Educators on the prevention of domestic Violence in Kyankwanzi and Wakiso districts, the project areas. Despite significant progress registered in Uganda, violence against women and children continues to undermine family stability, female productivity and national development. It’s against this background that UMWA has put weight towards efforts to prevent the vice in a three year programme with support from the International Solidarity Foundation, ISF – Finland.

- UMWA Executive Director attended FK South to South mid-term review and planning meeting in Ethiopia. The FK (Fredskorpset) is an exchange program that involves participating countries sending and at the same time receiving participants from various countries to work with them. UMWA belongs to a partnership of five media women’s associations; Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia, Ethiopia and Nepal with whom they exchange participants. UMWA hosts two participants on this program every year.

- Big farewell to Anne Kari, FK participant from Norway after completing ten months on North to South exchange program at UMWA. As a Programs Director for Mama FM, the participant did great work and innovations particularly in enhancing radio programming and competences of staff, hence the big farewell. With her IT skills, she increased visibility of the organization. A booklet on her work has been developed and distributed to staff and members and should be posted on the website soon.

- Mama FM Station Manager Christine Amuse attended a regional workshop for Radio Netherlands Worldwide and its partners in Africa. The workshop took place in Nairobi – Kenya and gave an opportunity for participants to share themes and topics of interest for their media and to strengthen the existing partnership.

- Fundraising and proposal writing. . UMWA is a non profit making organization which relies on the goodwill of donors thus the proposal writing activity. Other sources of funding include membership and subscriptions from members.

- Sarah Muwanga, Acting Communications Officer UMWA, participated in a training Resource Mobilization and Accessing EU funding and another one on Civic Education on Governance and Health organized by the Health Action Project in East Africa. UMWA is participating in the project whose main aim is to empower Non –State actors to advocate on health issues. In Uganda the project is led by the German Foundation for World Population.

- Mama Fm radio Technician Justine Nakamya attended a technical workshop on radio equipments and new technology in Italy. During the two weeks training, the technician was taken through sessions on parts assembling, general broadcast equipment repair, trouble shooting, servicing and maintenance, among other things.

- Hosted a children’s get together sponsored by Coca Cola and organized by Watoto Church, Seed Project and Power FM .

- Media Monitoring on how women issues are covered in the print media. This is a project done between UMWA and AMWIK (Association of Media Women in Kenya).

- Audit Training for UMWA ISF funded staff by the International Solidarity Fund. ISF is one of the organization’s donor.

ON-GOING

- Weekly meetings for Mama FM Radio staff every Tuesday to enhance quality of radio programs and competences of staff.

- Compiling video footages for a documentary/film that will create awareness about women’s rights in Uganda. The Uganda Humanist Effort to Save Women (UHESWO) has partnered with UMWA to carry out this project.

- Hosting community activists on Mama FM to discuss developmental issues.

- Editing 2nd edition of UMWA monthly newsletter. Check UMWA website for the maiden issue. Aim of the newsletter is to enhance internal communications which is the backbone of external communication.

- Preparations to celebrate Child Protection day with partners. Every year UMWA marks the day on September 25^th , under different themes as one of its initiatives to promote rights of children.

- Production and airing of advocacy programs and messages on prevention of domestic violence on Mama FM.

- Fundraising including writing of fundable proposals to carry out activities.

UP-COMING

- UMWA in the process of publishing personal experiences that staff have undergone while working with/for the organization and Mama FM.

- Photo exhibition at UMWA by FK participants Lista Ndumba and Margaret Mwangi from Zambia and Kenya respectively. The aim is to share and learn additional skills in photography.

- Consultations to establish a mini photo laboratory at UMWA secretariat. The lab would offer training in photography especially to women. It could also be a source of income for the organization.

- Follow up on community activists, offer technical support to drama groups and out of school peer educators on the domestic violence project. UMWA has build a strong group of community activists who sensitize the communities they live in on how to prevent domestic violence and gender based violence in general.

- Develop and print Identity cards for our community activists for security purposes.

- Begin advocacy project on Sexual and Reproductive Health for the youth. UMWA in partnership with Youth Development Link (UYDEL) will explorer this project.

- Meetings with UNICEF to strategize on how to form partnership and working relations.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

- Please visit UMWA website www.umwamamafm.co.ug for more information. We are also on face book and twitter.

- Mama FM presenter Kalanzi Lawrence was involved in a road accident (June 17^th) and was admitted with injuries. We thank God he has quickly recovered and reported back on duty.

.Training Opportunities

- Radio Netherlands announces upcoming International short courses for journalists and managers in the media for 2012. For details check their website on www.rntc.nl or email them on info@rntc.nl.

Newly born

- Joan Nakafeero, the ‘Suubi Lya kumakya’ presenter on Mama FM , was blessed with a bouncing baby girl in the month of June.

July 13th 2011

GWEN NEWS MAGAZINE

It contains information on how one can start up a small income generating project to sustain his or her life. Here attached below.

Gwen

PRESS RELEASE 7th of June 2011

UMWA CHALLENGES NEW WOMEN LEADERS TO AGGRESSIVELY PUSH FOR WOMEN CONCERNS.

UGANDA Media Women’s Association (UMWA) pays tribute to the newly appointed speaker of parliament Ms Rebecca Kadaga and all the women who were elected or appointed in decision making positions at the various levels. Uganda is over the mark of 30% of women representation in decision making positions as enshrined in the SADC declaration and what remains is to strive and hit the gender equality target of 50/50.

UMWA is excited about the increasing number of women assuming key positions of leadership in the political, public and private sectors but challenges them to prove their worth especially in advancing women’s issues. It is an achievement to the women’s movement at the local and International scene to have a woman as the third most important person in the land. Maria Kiwanuka as Minister of Finance, Irene Muloni as Minister of Energy and Minerals and a score of other women holding big positions also adds up to the progressive equation. We particularly salute the new faces because we expect new energies to address the numerous challenges facing women and the general population in Uganda today.

However the new women leaders need to be careful as all eyes are set on them to see the changes they will cause in the next five years. The International community may regard the election of a female speaker as a historical landmark for Uganda but it gives them more reason to critically watch out on how women’s rights will be persued.

As an organization that works to enhance the visibility and status of women and other marginalized groups , UMWA is hopeful that the increase of women participation in decision making will increase voices on issues affecting women. The new leaders come at a time when there is public outcry in the country over high taxes and prices of food, fuel and other commodities. Just recently women in Uganda wore white and staged a peaceful demonstration urging government to cut food prices and stop the excessive use of force against the population that left women and children dead while many were physically and emotionally wounded. The women carried empty pans and cooking sticks with a message that families are very poor and have no food on the table.

The other important concern is the ailing health sector which recently provoked a citizen to undress because he could not afford a hand glove that a medical staff had asked for before touching his patient. The maternal mortality rates are still alarming and as if that’s not enough those who swindle the sector’s monies are promoted instead of facing the law.

Kadaga holds a Masters in Women’s Law from the University of Zimbabwe and she is a reknowned human rights activist and now that she is on top of things, she is expected to apply that specialization to get things done. It is now the time to have the 40 plus year old Marriage and Divorce Bill translated into law. As women we can’t wait to have a law that criminalizes marital rape among other things.

The Right Honorable Speaker Kadaga comes at a time when relations between the media and the state are strained due to torture and harassment inflicted on the former by police and other government agencies during the recently concluded elections. The 9th parliament started on a wrong note when journalists were stopped from accessing the chambers to cover a session dealing on the so-called house keeping issues. The public is also worried that this house may not be any different from the previous one as MPs are prioritising posh cars at a cost of 190 million shillings for each of 375 members. Ugandans are waiting to see how Kadaga will bring reason to MPs and save the limping economy.

At this point in time UMWA can only appeal to all peace loving Ugandans especially women and the media to give Kadaga and other women leaders all the support they need to enable them serve well. We believe that when given the opportunity, women are good political mobilisers and can bring about positive economic and social transformations for improved livelihoods.

Management – UMWA.
Contacts: Tel; 0414-595125
Email-umwa@umwamamafm.co.ug/umwa@infocom.co.ug

PROTEST AGAINST POLICE BRUTALITY

On Monday the 9th of May Uganda women’s civil society organizations joined the band wagon in condemning the excessive use of force in respons to the “Walk to Work” protests.

UMWA and MAMA FM was there: