RUKUNGIRI– The Minister for Security Rtd. Maj. Gen. Jim Katugugu Muhwezi has underscored the role played by the women in the social economic transformation of the country.
Minister Muhwezi who is also the Rujumbura Constituency Member of Parliament made the remarks while speaking as the Guest of Honor at the belatedly International Women’s Day for Rukungiri District which was held at Bugangari Sub County Playgrounds.
The Minister made it categorically clear that the Government is committed to ensure that citizens get social services like water, schools and health facilities all which are geared at ensuring that the women’s welfare are catered for in order for them to live a fulfilling life.
The function was held under the theme, “Accelerating Gender Quality” and Minister Muhwezi said that since 1986, the Government of Uganda has been introducing programs which are meant to mainly benefit the women on to of bringing them on political board by encouraging then to take on leadership roles.
Gen Muhwezi made it categorically clear that women emancipation was a deliberate plan by the National Resistance Movement government since 1986 to bring them on board in decision making and leadership participation so that they are part of economic transformation.
He therefore encouraged women to continue participating in leadership election even if it means competing with men so that they can change their communities.
He thanked Rukungiri District Local Government for working as a team which has enabled the district to achieve tangible development in which most has benefited women.
Rukungiri District Woman Member of Parliament Hon Medius Natukunda Kaharata thanked the government of Uganda for the many programs that are aimed at empowering women and pledged to continue lobbying for more funds to improve their health livelihoods.
Hon Natukunda Kaharata particularly pointed out the government interventions especially in the health sector by providing accessible facilities by renovating Health Center Facilities which in turn have improved the health standards of women who in turn have become productive and are contributing to national development.
She thanked Rukungiri District Leadership for allowing the Women’s Day to be held in Bugangari Sub County an act that has helped the rural communities to participate and benefit.
Geoffrey Kyomukama, the District Chairperson said that Rukungiri District was recently ranked the 8th out of 146 Districts across the country on the basis of implementing government programs due to team work amongst the political, technical and other leaders which should continue.
Ealier the Chief Administrative Officer Masokoyi Swalikh Wasswarevealed that the government has committed Ugx 6.2 billion to 6,374 women through Parish Development Model, Ugx 1 billion was accessed through Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme where 1,863 women benefited while 915 women benefited through the Youth Livelihood of Ugx 1.2 billion and 55 women benefited through the small scale irrigation initiatives worth Ugx 825 million and the much anticipated GROW programme is at inception stage.
The CAO who was represented at thecevent by Denis Kamwehanga noted that women are now better equipped to start businesses, improve household incomes and participate in meaningful community development.
He said that further strides have been made in ensuring girl’s education, improving maternal health services and increasing women representation in leadership and decision making.
He emphasized that this Year’s theme, “4Accelerating Action for Gender Equality” is a challenge meant to move faster and be bold to ensure that no woman or girl is left behind.
He said that a call for action is now directed at going beyond rhetoric by translating words into results and commitments into concrete outcomes and every girl child complete her education free from fear, discrimination and harmful practices such as early marriages and violence and also said that every woman can own land, access credit and thrive as business owner or farmer.
The government is committed to ensure that every health facility is equipped to provide services that are accessible, affordable and tailored to the unique needs of women and girls and condemned gender based violence and called for its eliminated and victims get justice and support they deserve.
He called on men and boys should be engaged as partners in the fight for Gender equality promoting shared responsibility, mutual respect and equity in our homes and communities and appreciated partners in civil society NGOs whose advocacy, trainings , and provision of resources has contributed to empowerment of women and transforming lives saying that real change happens when work together.
Rukungiri District Women Council Chairperson Jolly Masheija asked the government for more funding to Women Councils so that they can be able to implement their work plans.
The event was preceded by a military parade led by the Uganda Police and Uganda Prisons Service and Women Groups and School Children and was spiced by songs dance and drama.
