MPs: Female ministers are insensitive

(L-R) Ms Amongi, Ms Kabakumba Matsiko, the Bujenje County MP and the Rev. Justus Frank Tukwasibwe, a ministry of Energy commissioner, at the workshop yesterday. PHOTO BY GEOFFERY SSERUYANGE  

By MERCY NALUGO

Lawmakers and women activists yesterday turned the heat on female ministers, who they accused of being insensitive to women issues.


The legislators poured out their frustration at their female colleagues during a workshop in Kampala organised by the Uganda Women Parliamentary Association (UWOPA).

They resolved to block the new taxes the government has proposed in the 2013/2014 financial year, majority of which affect women.

They described new taxes as “gender insensitive” and agreed to move in unison and block them, particularly

that on water, kerosene and on mobile money.

The MPs and civil society accused the female ministers in the key sectors of being insensitive to the women’s needs since they failed to block the taxes during the Cabinet meetings that approved the Budget.

“Where are these women ministers? We must put them to task to explain what their roles are in the gender-sensitive ministries if they cannot defend the women. We have been defending their budgets but this time we shall turn them red on the floor of the House,” said Ms Harriet Ntabaazi, the Bundibugyo Woman MP.

She was backed by Ms Mariam Nalubega (Butambala Woman), who said women should always speak with one voice to defend the rural woman.


The MPs were specifically targeting the Minister for Energy, Ms Irene Muloni, Finance Minister Maria Kiwanuka and outgoing minister for Health, Ms Christine Ondoa, accusing them of having failed in their roles.

Ms Hanifa Kawooya (Ssembabule Woman) advised colleagues to push for a Private Members’ Bill to have in place a gender equity certificate.

“The gender equity certificate would help us to adequately monitor whatever government promises for the women and whether they have been fulfilled,” said Ms Kawooya.



While reading out the resolutions, Ms Betty Amongi, the UWOPA chairperson, said they would petition the Finance Committee and submit their views for adoption and debate in Parliament.