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Probono Day

THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES COMMISSION PARTICIPATES IN THE 6TH REGIONAL ANNUAL PROBONO DAY

by Kevin March 22, 2017

On 24th February 2017, the Equal Opportunities Commission participated in the probono events organised by Uganda Law Society.

Under the theme,’ Access to Justice – the role of a Pro bono lawyer,” the day started with a peaceful procession from the High court, past the Sheraton and Serana hotels, down to Nile Avenue, on to Jinja road and ended at the Railway grounds which was the ceremonial grounds. The Equal Opportunuties Commision was well presented during the procession.

The Hon. Minister of Justice – Kahinde Otaffire commended the DFG and Uganda Law Society for ensuring that the poor have acces to justice. He requested the lawyers to avoid being profit oriented by providing services to only the rich but also reach out to the poor especially since the ratio of lawyers to the population is very low. He further encouraged lawyers to handle clients’ cases expeditiously and in time.

To the clients, the Hon Minister requested them to always tell lawyers the truth if they want to be helped expeditiously. The Hon. Minister also addresed the Mayor’s concern regarding the absence of space for margistrates and judges by requesting him to work closely with Mrs. Jennifer Musisi to ensure they get better sitting space. He concluded by informing participants that Government is in the process of establishing a legal Aid project and system and he pledged to ensure that it is effected.

The Guest of Honor – Hon. Justice Dr. Yorokamu Bamwiine noted that access to justice requires courts of law to be both accessible and affordable and that justice should be availed to all irrespective of their social and economic status. Mr. Bamwiine informed participants that the judiciary realised there cannot be effective administration of justice to Ugandans when the majority population is poor to afford legal representation. They therefore adopted pro-people innovations to improve access to justice in courts of law. Mr. Bamwine further informed participants about the small claims procedure under which parties can represent themselves and commended it as one of the measures which have improved access to justice in courts of law. In conclusion, Mr. Bamwiine noted that uncompensated legal services to the poor and under presented are some of the public obligations of lawyers in the country and encouraged lawyers to be involved in the provision of free services.

He concluded by making a cry to Government to hasten the enactment of the national Legal Aid Policy to ensure justice is availed to all and as well diversify legal aid service providers by entering agreements with NGOs, Universities, law schools’ clinics and faith and community-based organisations to provide legal Aid services.

In his remarks, the President of the Uganda Law Society – Mr. Francis Gimara appreciated Hon. Justice Remmy Kasule who initiated the Pro bono scheme adding that the scheme has been a success since it managed to enlist over 1,589 lawyers offering free legal service to the citizens of Uganda. Mr. Gimara said that Pro bono services have improved the livelihoods of many marginalised persons specifying an example of over 10, 496 clients across the country who benefited from the project in 2016. Mr. Gimara concluded by encouraging lawyers to enroll for Pro bono to ensure there is equal access to justice for all people in the country.

On behalf of DGF, Mr. Thomas Tiedemann – head of section Governance and Human Rights commended the Uganda Law Society for commemorating the day which celebrates the efforts of lawyers in promoting justice through the provision of free legal services to the needy. He added that DGF supports four full time legal aid clinics and that its support has further enabled the Pro bono scheme to reach more 40 districts in the country. Mr. Tiedemann informed participants that the continued absence of a policy and law on legal aid has hampered effective delivery of legal services.

“ This could partly explain why a recent study by the Haque Institute for the Internalisation of Law (HiiL) found that people, especially the poor, firmly believe that Ugandan Courts are biased against the poor and marginalised,’’ said Thomas Tiedemann.

Mr. Tiedemann urged every one to advocate for this policy and legislation. Mr. Tieddemann concluded by reiterating DGF’s commitment to partner with any initiatives aimed at ensuring fairness and justice for all through the Legal Aid Program.

Mr. Erias Lukwago – Lord Mayor of the City of Kampala thanked members of the legal fraternity for offering free legal advice to marginalised persons. The Lord Mayor made a case about the existence of a court within KCCA which causes severe interactions at the KCCA. He requested that it be relocated elsewhere. He further made a case about the Judges and Margistrates at KCCA whose sitting positions are bad and requested the Hon. Minister of Justice – Kahinde Otafiire to come to their rescue.

The event was adorned with testiminoies from clients who benefited from the Pro bono services. These intimated how they were able to access justice through the relentless help of Pro bono lawyers. At the event, lawyers from different law firms showed commitment towards offering free legal services to the clients who attended the event by attending to their needs.

March 22, 2017 359 views

THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES COMMISSION (EOC) CONVENES CONSULTATIVE MEETING WITH THE NATIONAL YOUTH COUNCIL.

by Kevin March 3, 2017

The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) on 15th February 2017 convened a consultative meeting with members of the National Youth Council to enhance EOC’s interaction with the National Youth Council regarding the plight of the youth in the country and how the two institutions can work closely to ensure youth livelihoods are improved. The meeting was held at Unik hotel – Kyaliwajala in preparation of a youth conference which the Commission will hold at a later stage in the year.

On behalf of the Commission, the meeting was attended by Mr. Patrobas Sirabo Wafula- Member of the Commission, Professor Sunday Nicholas Olwor – Secretary to the Commission, Mr. Julius Kamya – Commissioner Education Training Information and Communication, Ms. Petua Isabirye – Principal Education and Training Officer, Mr. Juma Waira – Senior Education and Training Officer and Ms. Jesca Kahwa – Senior Personal Secretary.

Member Patrobas Wafula Sirabo summarized for the Committee the background of the Equal Opportunities Commission and its mandate, highlighting the powers it has in addressing youth concerns and ensuring they enjoy equal opportunities in the provision of services and resources. He urged the Committee members to ensure youth understand and participate in development programs and processes, citing reasons that this will contribute towards the development agenda.

In reaction to the presentation made by the EOC, the Chairperson of the National Youth Council – Ms. Aber Lillian said it’s been a challenge implementing the council’s mandate. Among the challenges she pointed out included under funding of youth programmes and continuous fights between the youth and elder persons. She pointed out that the National Youth Council has established structures which the Commission can rely on when implementing its mandate among the youth and pledged for its full support towards the EOC.

Other members of the National Youth Council cited challenges which the youth experience including the student Loan Scheme which is discriminatory and the Youth Livelihood programme whose beneficiaries are majorly elder persons. They called for EOC’s intervention in these programmes. Lack of monitoring tools for youth programmes and ignorance among the youth on existing youth programmes were among the other challenges noted. Not with standing, members of the National Youth Council noted that youth also contribute to their own exclusion from beneficial programmes through their characters like low self-esteem. This, they said, can be addressed through youth empowerment programs.

The EOC together with Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development were also urged to ensure all youth institutions involve the National Youth Council in the planning, monitoring and implementation of programmes. EOC was further requested to lobby for adequate legal frameworks to enhance youth funding.

The National Youth Council is the umbrella organization and voice for all young people in Uganda between the age of 18 and 35 years. The council was established by an Act of Parliament in 1993 to organize the youth of Uganda in a unified body and engage them in activities that bare of benefit to them and the nation.

The Commission looks forward to working with the National Youth Council and building a stronger relationship aimed at empowering the youth in the country.

March 3, 2017 383 views

Events

THE RT. HON REBECCA A. KADAGA RECEIVES EOC’S REPORT ON THE FINDINGS OF THE ASSESSMENT OF SECTOR BUDGET FRAMEWORK PAPERS FOR FY 2017/2018 TO GENDER AND EQUITY REQUIREMENTS.

by Kevin February 21, 2017

On 16th December 2016, the Chairperson and Members of the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) met the Rt. Hon. Rebecca A. Kadaga in her chambers at Parliament to share EOC’s report on the findings from the assessments of Sector Budget Framework Papers to compliance with Gender and Equity requirements which the Commission conducted in the month of December 2016. Among the dignitaries who attended the hand over meeting was Hon. Mohammed Nsereko – Chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Committee of Parliament, Hon. Hellen Grace Asamo – Vice Chairperson of the Committee on Equal Opportunities in Parliament, Ms. Margret Komuhangi – Chairperson of the Committee on Gender, Labor and Social Development and Hon. Jovah Kamateeka – Chairperson of the Human Rights Committee in Parliament.

The EOC was represented by the Chairperson – Mrs. Sylvia Muwebwa Ntambi, the Vice Chairperson – Mr. Dennis Nduhura Mwebaze, Member Zaminah Malole, Member Patrobas Sirabo Wafula, Member Joel Cox Ojuko and Mr. Evans Jjemba – the Senior Compliance and Reporting Officer.

In reaction to the presentation made by the EOC, the Hon. Speaker of Parliament commended the Equal Opportunities Commission for conducting the assessments adding that Uganda is the first country in the world to Gender and Equity budgeting and planning. She further requested for the criteria which was used to grade the sectors noting that concerns like poor sanitation, low student attendance have been identified in the education sector. The Rt. Hon. Speaker also inquired whether grading the sectors involved considering the number of female employees with contracts. She requested the Commission to disseminate the assessment guidelines to the public to enable them have access to this information. She concluded by informing the meeting that she informed all clerks to ensure all Ministries, departments and agencies have certificates of compliance from MoFPED. This she said will promote the Commission’s mandate among all these institutions.

Hon. Margret Komuhangi congratulated the Commission for having successfully conducted the assessment. She requested the Commission to train all the Members of Parliament on these assessment tools used and further implored the Commission to draft compacts for all the 16 sectors in the country.

In his remarks, Mr. Mohammed Nsereko – Chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Committee requested the Commission to ensure the assessment tools are explicit to enable the average Ugandan understand them. Among the queries he made was whether equity is addressed by all these sectors and whether there is equal representation from all regions. Mr. Nsereko further requested the Commission to make the tools understandable to the Equal Opportunities Committee of Parliament since they are frequently in touch with the masses.

Hon. Hellen Grace Asamo made a case that all the Parliamentary Committees are not aware of these tools and therefore urged the Commission to train them on the tools used. She said this would give the Members of Parliament an opportunity to identify the existing loopholes in the Budget Framework papers and Ministerial Policy Statements.

In response to the issues raised, Mrs. Sylvia Muwebwa Ntambi took the Hon. Speaker through the objectives of the assessments, the assessment approach and grading, the compliance level of all sectors to concerns of Gender and Equity. Out of the 13 assessed sectors, 10 scored at least 50% and these are recommended to be issued with a certificate of compliance with Gender and Equity for the Financial Year 2017/2018. These include the Social Development sector, Health, Security, Education, Water and environment, Public Administration, ICT, Tourism, Trade and Industry, Agriculture, Works and Transport.

Sectors which scored below the pass mark include Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Energy and Mineral Development and the Accountability sector. Three sectors never submitted their Budget Framework Papers for assessment.

Ms. Sylvia requested the three sectors which did not achieve the minimum qualifying score to ensure they fulfill the necessary requirements in order to be recommended to MoFPED and be issued Certificates of Gender and Equity Compliance and commended institutions whose tremendous contributions enable compilation of the Assessment Report. These include the National Task Force on Gender and Equity, Parliament of the Republic of Uganda, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, World Health Organization, Civil Society Organizations like FOWODE, Civil Service College Uganda and academic institutions.

February 21, 2017 373 views