Introduction.
The EOC with support from the Democratic Governance Facility (DGF) through Deutsche Gesellschaft fur InternationaleZusammenarbelt (GIZ) the implementing partner, is implementing a two (2) year project titled; “Institutional Support Towards strengthening the Equal Opportunities Commission to Implement Its Mandate”. Amongst the project programmes is funding the EOC Tribunal activities. The Equal Opportunities Commission organized a District Consultative / Pre-Tribunal meeting with Complainants in Masaka to prepare them for the Tribunal hearing. The meeting was held on Friday 27th February, 2015 at Masaka District Local Government – District Service Commission Board Room, Ssaza, Masaka. The meeting attracted nine (09) complainants, pursuing eight (8) complaints, and was presided over by four (4) EOC staff under the guidance of the EOC Chairperson, Mrs. Rita S. Matovu
Background.
The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) is a body corporate established by the Equal Opportunities Commission Act, 2007, in accordance with Article 32 (3) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda. The EOC was set up to give effect to the State’s constitutional mandate to eliminate discrimination and inequalities against any individual or group of persons on the ground of sex, age, color, ethnic origin, tribe, birth, creed or religion, health status, social or economic standing, political opinion or disability, gender, age or any other reason created by history, tradition, or custom.
According to section 23 of the Equal Opportunities Act 2007, the EOC in the performance of its functions under the Act has powers to receive and determine complaints relating to discrimination, marginalization or any act which undermines or impairs equal opportunities.
Under the EOC’s complaints handling procedures, it is a prerequisite that before a Tribunal session is held, there should be a pre-tribunal visit consult district and local authorities, assess the complaints lodged, meet, interview and sieve prospective witnesses, verify documents and prepare complainants for a tribunal hearing, inter alia. It is upon this background that the EOC organized the pre tribunal visit / district consultative meeting in Masaka District