Women Parliamentarians Urged to Strengthen Laws for Uganda's Future

The Uganda Women Parliamentary Association (UWOPA) has been urged to intensify its efforts in tackling structural inequalities within Uganda through robust legislation and effective representation. Speaker Jacob Marksons Oboth, speaking at a seminar for the 12th Parliament’s UWOPA members, emphasized the association’s long-standing influence since its establishment in 1989.

Oboth, whose remarks were delivered by MP Nathan Byanyima, noted UWOPA’s crucial role in shaping key laws such as the Domestic Violence Act of 2010 and the Succession (Amendment) Act of 2022. He challenged the current leadership to build upon the successes of their predecessors to accelerate progress and maintain institutional knowledge.

The Speaker also stressed the need for the increasing number of women in leadership to translate into a tangible qualitative impact. He encouraged members to be mindful of pressing challenges that require legislative, budgetary, and representative interventions to influence public policy effectively.

Sarah Opendi, the Chairperson of UWOPA, expressed deep concern over the alarming rates of violence against women and girls, citing statistics that indicate a low conviction rate for reported cases. She attributed this to resource constraints within the Justice Law and Order sector and called for increased parliamentary support.

Opendi rallied female legislators to join UWOPA, emphasizing the importance of a united voice in Parliament, especially given that women constitute only about 34 percent of the total membership. She also reminded them of the historical context of affirmative action seats, which were created to address an uneven political playing field.

Winnie Matsiko, a founding member, reiterated UWOPA’s original mission to enhance women’s quality of life through a multi-pronged approach including capacity building and political support. Joseph Munyangabo of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy also called for a focus on quality representation to achieve the association’s goals.

Source: Parliament of Uganda