Foreword.
It is with great pleasure that I, on behalf of the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC), present the 2nd Annual Report on the State of Equal Opportunities in Uganda covering the Year 2014. The Report is presented in compliance with Section 24, Subsections (2) and (3) of the Equal Opportunities Commission Act, 2007. The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) developed the Report through a consultative process involving the participation of a cross-section of stakeholders from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Sports, Political Leaders at National and District Level and the Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development.
This Annual Report highlights the State of Equal Opportunities in Uganda focusing on four thematic areas namely: Health, Education, Governance and Employment. It examines the extent to which the responsible sectors for the various aforementioned thematic areas have progressed towards having the same treatment or consideration in the enjoyment of rights and freedoms, attainment of access to social services, education, employment and physical environment or the participation in social, cultural and political activities regardless of sex, age, race, colour, ethnic origin, tribe, birth, creed, religion, health status, social or economic standing, political opinion or disability.
The Commission recognizes the progress so far made by various stakeholders socially, politically and economically in enhancing equal opportunities. Nevertheless, it is also clear that many of the marginalised groups still face challenges in accessing services equitably and equally. Therefore, there is need to redress imbalances identified in this Report and promote equal opportunities for all in an effort to eliminate discrimination and marginalisation.
Equitable sustainable development, creation of wealth and subsequent improvement in livelihoods emphasize non marginalisation and discrimination in resource allocation, power centres, opportunity, access to services and goods on grounds based on an individual person’s status including gender or other discriminatory attributes created and perpetuated by history and social economic standing in society. Dedicating efforts to realise the full potentials of Special Interest Groups1 is instrumental in the achievement of the ending millennium development goals, among other targets, to which Uganda had committed.
The Equal Opportunities Commission is committed to working with all stakeholders to redress imbalances as articulated in this Report and to promote equal opportunities for all so as to realise a society free from all forms of discrimination and wherein all persons have equal opportunities in accessing goods and services.
FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY.
Rita S. Matovu.
CHAIRPERSON, EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES COMMISSION