Foreword.
Foreword Section 13 (15) (g) (i)4 and (ii)5 of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015 (PFMA), emphasize Section (14)6 and (15)7 of the Equal Opportunities Commission Act, 2007 as well as sub section 4.1 of the National Development Plan II (2015/2016-2019/2020).
Uganda’s National Development Plan (NDP) II Goal is to attain middle income status by 2020 through strengthening the country’s competitiveness for sustainable wealth creation, employment and inclusive growth. Realization of the NDP II Goal calls for observance of equal opportunities for all in the development of budgets, plans, projects, programmes, laws, practices and traditions among others as a universal and fundamental human right.
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 realize the full potentials of Special Interest Groups is instrumental in the achievement of Uganda’s development targets and the Sustainable Development Goals.
As mandated, The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) will continue redressing imbalances and promoting equal opportunities for all to eliminate discrimination and marginalization. Since the Commission’s inauguration in 2010, the Commission has concerted efforts on enhancing the capacity of planners and policy makers to mainstream gender and equity requirements in all government plans and interventions.
Unfortunately in our society there are barriers ranging from physical, procedural or attitudinal to this inherent human right. A major objective is therefore to work with the various institutions of government, the private sector, non government organizations, religious and cultural institutions as well as the Community to remove these barriers and create sustainable change and an enabling environment for every individual in our community. Very often people are unaware of the needs of special interest groups and this can diminish their fundamental rights.
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
realize 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.
Sylvia Muwebwa Ntambi.
Chairperson, Equal Opportunities Commission.