European Union donates six vehicles to Equal Opportunities Commission

The European Union (EU) has handed over six vehicles to the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) in support of gender and equity planning and budgeting in Uganda.

The new fleet of vehicles including four Double Cabin Trucks, a Toyota TXL Prado and a mini-bus will see the commission boost its processes in reaching out to government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), local governments, civil society and the private sector for gender and equity planning and budgeting; and also dispensing social justice.

“I call upon the Equal Opportunities Commission to utilise these  vehicles in not only promoting gender and equity planning and budgeting but also other undertakings that can positively impact on the lives of women, the poor and other marginalized persons,” said Anthony Kintu Mwanje, the Coordinator Secretariat for the Accountability sector  at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.

The Chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Commission, Sylvia Muwebwa Ntambi thanked the European Union for the support adding that it would go a long in ensuring that gender and equity prevails in Uganda.

“No struggle can ever succeed without women participating side by side with men; the Equal Opportunities Commission would not have moved thus far without the selfless support from our like-minded stakeholders like the European Union pertaining to matters that relate with equal opportunities and affirmative action” Mutebwa said.

The Minister of Gender Labour and Social Development, Janat Balunzi Mukwaya, who was the chief guest, commended the EU and other development partners for supplementing government funding and promised that government will ensure the support goes a long way in changing  Uganda for the better.

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She also applauded the Equal Opportunities Commission team for the dedication exhibited in spreading its mandate amidst challenges.

“As you may have been observing, despite the gap, the commission was able to deliver. This signals that they will double their deliverables now that they are going to be better facilitated. I wish to thank the Chairperson and her team for the dedication exhibited amidst challenges. I encourage you to keep it up”, Janet Mukwaya said.

On December 1, 2017 the European Union signed a financing agreement for a Sector Reform and Performance Contract (SRPC) with the Ugandan government.

The agreement draws 66 million Euros in a grant from the 11th EU Fund, an equivalent of Shs285 billion, out of which the Equal Opportunities Commission was appropriated Shs 13.2 billion for three years subject to subsequent satisfactory performance.

The financing agreement is in favour of Justice and Accountability Reform (JAR) in Uganda.

The objective of the agreement is to improve the governance of public funds including the mobilisation, strategic allocation and efficient use of public resources, for improved service delivery.

The Commission makes contribution to improved capacities in policy-based and gender-sensitive planning and budgeting for enhanced budget credibility and service delivery at Central and Local Government levels, a task that necessitated strengthening of the commission’s fleet.