EOC gets new fleet to monitor local governments

The Equal Opportunities Commission has received a fleet of six cars to boost it's to monitor local governments' implementation of their comments on providing equal opportunities for all.

Speaking at the giveaway ceremony of an omnibus, a Toyota station wagon and four Nissan double cabins, Sylvia Muwemba Ntambi, the chairperson of the Commission, noted that the fleet will help the commission monitor the local governments to ensure that they implement their commitments.

"The six vehicles are going to boost our processes not only in reaching out to MDAs and Local Governments for gender and equity planning and budgeting but also in dispensing social justice given our constrained upcountry presence due to lack of regional offices," she said.

The tracking exercise, according to Muwebwa, will begin on Aug 25, to confirm reported expenditures under the budget outturn report.

The vehicles were bought by the Commission using part of the sh13.2bn given to the Commission by the European Union.  The money follows a financing agreement for sector reform and performance contract signed in December 2017 between the EU and government.

The agreement drew €66m (sh285b) in grants from the 11^th EU fund. The agreement's objective is to improve the governance of public funds, including the mobilization, strategic allocation and efficient use of public resources, for improved service delivery.

Minister Mukwaya shakes with Sylvia Muwebwa the chairperson of Equal Opportunities Commission. Photo by Ramadhan Abbey

She said since the commission has no regional branches, the fleet will help them traverse the nation, holding circuit tribunals on issues of equity and gender.

She said they intend to visit 40 district councils orienting the council members on their oversight role regarding gender and equity planning and budgeting at the local government level.

They will also build the capacity lower local governments on gender and equity planning and support 90 ministries, departments and agencies on effective utilization of gender and equity compacts developed under EU.

The event was held on Wednesday at the EOC head offices in Bugolobi. It was attended by members of Parliament, officials from the EU and EOC employees.

EOC was established to give effect to the state's constitutional mandate to eliminate discrimination and inequalities against any individual or group of persons and take affirmative action in favour of marginalized groups.

In her remarks, the gender minister, Janat Mukwaya, commended the EU for funding the EOC towards the realization of its goal on proper equity and gender budgeting.

"Gender and equity planning and budgeting is not only a fundamental strategy in promoting human right but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable country. Providing women and men, girls and boys equal access and participation in government programs fuel sustainable economies," she said.

She noted that committing to plans and budgets that are gender and equity responsive improves capabilities and opportunities of the vulnerable and marginalized populace which eventually contributes to better outcomes for the future generation.

Anthony Mwanje, the coordinator of the accountability sector under the EU, told the EOC that more funding is to come their way only if they meet their targets under the agreement.

"To access the remaining money, make sure that we meet the performance targets. If we don't achieve them, the money will not come and then the entire chain of beneficiaries will lose," he said.

He warned them against working in silos but rather build a multisectoral approach where their work trickles down to other MDAs.