By Harriette Onyalla
THE Prime Minister, Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, has called for strong communication links between the Commonwealth member-states and the civil society to fight poverty.

“The current challenges we are facing as the Commonwealth can only be addressed effectively through coordinated actions and commitment to work together,” Nsibambi said.

This was contained a speech read by the First Deputy Prime Minister, Eriya Kategaya, at the opening of the Commonwealth Partners’ Forum at the Speke Resort Hotel, Munyonyo in Kampala on Friday.

Nsibambi observed that despite making progress in good governance, with the number of Ugandan women parliamentarians rising to 96 last year, seven Commonwealth countries were still among those worst hit by HIV/AIDS worldwide.

A women rights activist, Zawadi Nyong’o, suggested that donors should prioritise funding gender equality, environmental protection and human rights projects.

“Women’s rights, as many say, are out of fashion with donors. What is worse, this fatigue or disinterest is evident in a number of funding sectors including the most critical development assistance and large independent foundation sectors.” Nyong’o, a member of the Association of Women’s Rights in Development, explained that a study conducted by the International Feminist Organisation showed that the funds received by women associations from donors decreased between 2000 and 2005.

“Public awareness of the importance of gender equality and women’s rights for development is growing, but funding for the protection and guarantee of these rights continues to be insufficient,” she said.