AG should not issue gender certificate - MPs

Nov 15, 2014

MPs and women activists say the Attorney General has no business in issuing the certificate of gender equity.


By Francis Emorut                                        

KAMPALA - Members of Parliament and women activists have said that the Attorney General has no business in issuing the certificate of gender equity, saying that the role should be left to the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC).

One of the MPs argued that nowhere in the courts of Uganda is it indicated that the AG should issue the document.

The legislator – Workers MP Margaret Ssentongo – added that women should be concerned if the AG is left to issue the certificate.

Her argument is that if it happens, women will not have an equal share of the benefits from the economy.

To avoid this, Ssentongo suggested that Parliament give the mandate of issuing the certificate of gender equity to the Equal Opportunities Commission as per Equal Opportunity Act 2007.

She referred to Article 119 subsection 4 which mandates the Attorney General to give legal advice to government on any legal subject and therefore, the latter should stick to his mandate as spelled out by the Constitution.

Meanwhile, Koboko MP Margaret Babadiri pointed out that the only way to cause government to give money to the marginalized groups is by ensuring that the issuance of the certificate of gender equality is given to the Equal Opportunities Commission.

MP Safia Nalule, who represents persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the central region spoke of their determination at resilience.

“There is no way government can escape from this. We are determined to ensure that the role of issuing certificate of gender equity goes to Equal Opportunities Commission.”

The women activists under their umbrella Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE) want Parliament to replace Clause 8 of the Budget Framework Paper which provides the certificate of gender equity to be issued by Attorney General, certifying ministries, departments and agencies with EOC.

“We are convinced that it is not the Attorney General’s mandate to issue such a certificate and his office is not technically competent to deal with matters of affirmative action and marginalized groups.

“Additionally, the Attorney General is a member of Cabinet and therefore would be conflict of interest for the AG to issue such a certificate,” Lina Zegriga, the deputy chairperson of Forum for FOWODE said.

This was at a media briefing in Kampala on Thursday in the light of the Public Finance Bill 2012 that is coming up for debate next week.

The activists observed that the Bill is important for effective, fair and equitable management of public finances for the benefit of citizens in Uganda.

They further urged Parliament to consider inserting a new clause stipulating that 3% of petroleum revenue should be earmarked for social services, agriculture and culture, as women and marginalized groups form the bulk of these sectors.

Rita Matovu, the chairperson of Equal Opportunities Commission said the issue of issuing the gender equity certificate is not a matter for only women but for all marginalized groups.

Julius Mukunda, the coordinator of Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group quipped giving the EOC the responsibility of issuing the certificate would strengthen the institution.

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