Gender equity: Best performing agencies named

The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development has been named the most gender compliant government agency, according to a report released by the Equal opportunities Commission (EOC).
The report, which rates all government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) in terms of aligning their budgets to gender and equity matters, saw the Gender ministry score 92 percent, while Uganda’s mission in Malaysia was the least performer with 51.50 percent.
 EOC, a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament, is mandated to eliminate discrimination and inequalities against any individual or group of persons on the grounds of sex, age, race, colour and ethnicity.
The report assessed the MDAs basing on their performance in gender and equity planning and budgeting in the upcoming financial year by reviewing their ministerial policy statements (MPS).

  While releasing the 8th MPS assessment report in Kampala yesterday, EOC chairperson Safia Nalule Juuko said 158 MDAs were subjected to assessment.
 “The average score was 65.02   percent and all the 158 Vote MPS were assessed and met the minimum requirement with at least 50 percent compliance level, based on the Gender and Equity Assessment criteria. The Commission hereby recommends the issuance of a certificate of Gender and Equity compliance to the 158 votes,” she said
 Ms Nalule added that the Ministry of Water and Environment came second with 82.16 percent, while EOC itself scored 81.16 percent.  
 “The least performing MDAs include Uganda’s Mission in Belgium, with 52.50 percent, Uganda’s Mission in Qatar, with 51.50 percent and Uganda’s Mission in Malaysia 51.50 percent,” she said.

 Ms Nalule also noted   that of the Shs45.325.7 trillion budget for the upcoming Financial Year 2022/2023, Shs28.036.68 trillion (62 percent) has been allocated towards the delivery of government programmes.
 “Another Shs11.214.8 trillion (40 percent) has been  directed towards programmes that address explicit gender and equity issues and lead to increased access, benefit, participation in the government provided programmes by the vulnerable and marginalised populations,” she said
 The acting EOC Secretary, Ms Jane Ekapu, said the Commission continues to experience a challenge of late submission of the ministerial policy statements, which are a basis for assessment.  

 “The Commission received the Vote MPSs on March, 15th 2022 the same day the Parliament started considering them.  This contradicts the essence of the gender and equity provisions under PFMA [Public Finance Management Act],” she said.
 Ms Ekapu added that the attendant Treasury Instructions of 2015 and 2017 indicate that the MPS should be submitted to the Commission by February 16 to allow time for assessment and production of a comprehensive report by the Commission.

 “This persistent challenge to the Commission requires the attention of the Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development. The Equal Opportunities Commission has worked with several stakeholders in the compilation of this assessment report, which has resulted in   a successful completion and production of MPS Assessment Report,” she said.
TOP PERFORMING MDAS 
Ministry of Gender                          92%
Ministry of Water                             82%
EOC                                                       81%
Ministry of Tourism                         80%
Kyambogo University                     79%
Kampala Capital City Authority 76%
Soroti Referral Hospital               76%
Human Rights Commission         76%
Lira University                                   76%
Mbarara University                          76%
Uganda Bureau of Statistics       76%
Office of the President-ISO        76%
NARO                                                   76%
Inspectorate of Government      76%
NITA-U                                                 76%
Office of the Prime Minister        75%
Ministry of Lands                            74%
Uganda Prisons                                74%
Ministry of Finance                          74%
Jinja Regional Referral Hospital 74%
Parliamentary Commission         73%
Ministry of Kampala                        73%
Ministry of Education                     73%
Immigration                                        72%
Judiciary                                              72%
Mbarara Referral Hospital            71%
Uganda Police Force                        71%
Entebbe Referral Hospital             71%
Kabale Referral Hospital                71%
Ministry of Trade                              70%
Ministry of Public Service             70%
Kabale University                            68%
Ministry of ICT                                  68%
Ministry of Works                            68%
Kawempe Referral Hospital        68%
Soroti University                              68%
Mission in Kenya                               67%
Muni University                                 67%
Uganda Investment Authority     67%
Law Reform Commission             67%
Ministry of  Justice                          67%
Public Service Commission         67%
Ministry of Local Government    67%
Uganda Tourism Board                 66%
 Financial Intelligence Authority 66%
URA                                                      66%
Virus Research Institute               66%

Naguru Referral Hospital 66%

National Identification and Registration Authority  66%

Mission in Juba  65%

Office of the President 65%

Ministry of Health  65%

Auditor General 64%

Butabika National Referral Hospital 64%

Local Government Finance Commission 64%

Uganda Embassy in Algeria, Algiers 64%

PPDA 64%