THE SECOND NATIONAL ANTI-CORRUPTION CONVENTION,

KAMPALA, UGANDA
CONVENTION COMMUNIQUE
3rd December 2012

I) PREAMBLE

We the over 1000 people of Uganda, having met on 3rd December 2012, from various walks of life including the youth, women, business community, persons with disability, media, political leaders, religious leaders and Non-Governmental organizations, met in Kampala, Uganda to discuss the most pressing challenges and creative solutions to fighting theft of public funds.

Since the first Anti-Corruption Convention that was held on 8th December, 2011, Uganda has lost not less than 1.3 trillion shillings resulting into a situation of deplorable health services across the country, ill facilitated educational infrastructure, spiraling poverty levels, growing unemployment, ethnic tensions, land grabbing, declining fortunes of agriculture, environmental degradation.

Aware that the unraveling theft in the office of the Prime Minister, Public Service, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Justice are a mere reflection of the trend in other government ministries, departments and agencies. The plunder of public assets can and will have worse impact if not stopped.

II) Today we re-affirm, resolve and commit to Individual and Collective Actions to secure our future as follows;

1. Harness the role of people power in fighting corruption through sustained collective actions that are fundamental to building positive change epitomized through the Black Monday Movement.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH:-- WE WANT ACTION ON CORRUPTION NOW!

Fellow Citizens of Uganda:

The President of Uganda, His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has over the years publically condemned corruption and promised zero tolerance to theft in public offices. This was supposed to be exemplified through the setup of the Anti-Corruption Court and the National Strategy to fight Corruption, the Directorate of Ethics and Integrity in the President’s Office, among other institutions put in place to fight corruption. What has emerged is that, we have too many institutions and yet we see no concrete action on corruption.

Uganda’s children continue to die of malaria, malnutrition, nodding disease and many other preventable diseases while our leaders and technocrats shamelessly loot with greed the money meant to provide medicine for our children. Our teachers sleep hungry and our children have no lunch at school, our policemen sleep like dogs and are paid peanuts, our doctors, nurses and midwives are underpaid, unpaid and on strike, our youth remain unemployed and helpless and we lose 16 of our mothers daily due to poor maternal health, while lots of money meant to address our plight as Ugandans is stolen day and night by individuals who time and again have been left scot free. Why should innocent Ugandans pay with their lives for injustices perpetrated by publically known robbers, pickpockets, burglars and thieves? We are tired of losing Ugandans from preventable death. We want Action on Corruption.

We strongly believe there is enough for the needs of every Ugandan but not enough for the greed of public servants entrusted to manage resources responsibly for the good of all Ugandans. This unacceptably shameful, draconian, uncivil form of conduct must be stopped in the greater interest of ensuring meaningful development for all Ugandans.

Safeguarding Adolescent Sexual and Reoproductive Health

Adolescence is a period of transition from childhood to adulthood that happens between the ages of 10-19 years. This is the stage when most young people begin to explore their sexuality and have intimate relationships. Engaging in sexual activities at this stage is risky as it exposes adolescents to early pregnancies, unsafe abortions, sexually transmitted infections, and sexual violence.

It has been reported that problems associated with pregnancy are a leading cause of death among the adolescents. In addition, sexual coercion is a widespread phenomenon as evidenced by the fact that in some countries between 20% and 48% of young women aged 10-25 years have been forced to have sex.

Most young people cannot protect themselves since they lack information on where to go for adolescent sexual reproductive health care, and the majority are not empowered enough to negotiate for safe sex with their partners. In addition, most youth particularly the girls are under pressure to marry and produce children at such an early stage in their life.

What should be done?

INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY OUTREACH AT KYAMBOGO COLLEGE SCHOOL

Civil Society Leaders Denounce the Continued Police Brutality, Lack of Accountability, professionalism and Impunity in the Security Forces.

Date:               23^rd April, 2012

Contact:          Uganda Governance Monitoring Platform (UGMP)

                        info@ngoforum.or.ug

                        +256 414 510 272

Civil Society Leaders Denounce the Continued Police Brutality, Lack of Accountability, professionalism and Impunity in the Security Forces.

“The fact that a crime within the jurisdiction of the Court has been committed by a person pursuant to an order of a Government or of a superior, whether military or civilian, shall not relieve that person of criminal responsibility unless: (a) The person was under a legal obligation to obey orders of the Government or the superior in question; (b) The person did not know that the order was unlawful; and(c) The order was not manifestly unlawful.  2. For the purposes of this article, orders to commit genocide or crimes against humanity are manifestly unlawful.” – Article 33 of the 1998 Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court

We the leaders of civil society in Uganda strongly condemn the increasing use of barbaric and uncivil methods by security agencies while claiming to manage public order. The most recent of these incidents was the brutal and insensitive fondling of FDC women league chairperson, Ingrid Turinawe’s breasts on Friday 20th April 2012. This particular incident is one of many attempts by the police to publically harm and humiliate the same citizens who they have a constitutional mandate to protect and safeguard. We note that this incident occurs in the context of an increasingly militarized police force whose viciousness has been questioned by the public but condoned by the state. Such incidents inevitably depict a rapidly deteriorating governance order.

This shameless display of state brutality and use of sexual assault and molestation was perceivably meant to intimidate and threaten Ugandans of good will who might attempt to blow the whistle on the excesses of the state. Such brutal acts by a public security agency denote a state thoughtless of dignity and sanctity of human life

Youth take action for Sustainable Development: Our Future is worth it.

Sustainable development has emerged as one of the most prominent development paradigms over the last four decades. It aims at providing a holistic approach, enveloping several dimensions such as economic, environmental, social and participatory development into a single framework. Over the years, we have seen a growing institutionalization of sustainable development on the international level. In 2009, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) decided “to organize, in 2012, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development at the highest possible level, including Heads of State and Government or other representatives”

In June this year, world leaders will convene in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, called Rio+20. The Conference is aimed at Spurring actions that will help people and countries move toward a greener economy that will promote more jobs, greater prosperity, less poverty, and ensure that we all live in decent and safe communities and in addition to improving the way we manage the challenges of sustainable development.

World leaders will also consider

“A FACT FINDING ON NODDING DISEASE IN OKIDI AND AKWANG SUB-COUNTY KITGUM DISTRICT”

Background of the disease:

A disease only known by many as “Nodding disease” was first reported by the Acholi parliamentary group to parliament to the then Minister of Health in 2004. However it was not called the nodding disease, it was referred to as the “strange disease”. It has since emerged that the report on the strange disease reached to the Ministry of health in 2009 according to the current Director General Health Services Dr. Jane Achieng.

The cultural belief on the causes of the diseases:

• Witch craft and evil spirit
• Relief food that had pieces of broken bottles and the chemically treated beans meant for agriculture that people ate due to hunger
• Bombs used during the war
• Epilepsy
• Dirty water from the wells/springs and bites from Black flies (mostly found along the water/river banks)
• Trauma due to the war
• Eating of the Bush meat.

 All in all the signs and symptoms are observed when a child is given food to eat, although the child is angry, s/he does not realise the taste of food and seizures. Health workers believe that the disease affects the brain and destroys the sense of taste and feeling. Different agencies have intervened but the possible causes of the disease have not yet been established by either the Ministry of health or the world health organisations and other development partners.

The Purpose of the Finding:

To find out the socio-cultural and economic impact of nodding disease on the population, especially children and women, in kitgum district and how much the local government and the central government is doing on the ground to help the affected families.

Secondly the Fylaa Alumni to get valuable information about nodding disease that shall help in advocating for government interventions to manage the disease nationally.

Research Findings:

Every Effort, Every Penny Counts

Dear everybody, this morning i am compelled to write to you to help a couple of colleagues who urgently need help and save at least two lives.

Pius Engetu is a colleague of mine at FOWODE Young Leaders Alumni Association and with him, we have organised and carried out several school outreaches and charity outreaches to to providence homes of the disabled. Late last year, his dad was diagonised and recommended for a kidney transpalnt and he was confirmed the kidney donor. I promised to add my effort to his own when he approached me.

Patriarchal Ideologies and how it has entrenched inequalities in Uganda.

Patriarchy is a system of male authority that oppresses women through political, social, cultural and economic institutions. It is a system which accords men power and privilege and subordinates the women. The following seeks to illustrate to you how patriarchy has been natured, reproduced and sustained in our communities.

Masculinity and the media. The media helps to internalize and reinforce certain gender stereotypes that make the men superior and subordinate the women. The media is a socializing point for the children as they grow up exposed to both print or displayed media. In today’s society parents do not have control over what the children view as they leave them in the hands of house helps or even alone. It is important to note that the news rooms are filled with men; even where the women are they are often given the petty issues like fashion while real issues are given to their male counterparts. There are different roles women and men play in the media houses and the nature of publication is always different. The media plays an instrumental role in placing the men above the women,

Culture and masculinity People do not become men and women in the sterile environment of the womb rather; they do so in specific social and cultural contexts.

The social production of masculinity and femininity is often begun at home through socialization practices, which aim to instill specific personalities and identities into male and female children. Socialization experiences inscribe superiority into maleness and masculinity, and inferiority into femaleness and femininity.

It is important to examine some of these practices and values that are instilled in the male and female children and decide whether in this day and era, we still want to instill the same values. Male children are less likely than female ones to suffer rejection, prejudice, discrimination, and abandonment.

Power relation Patriarchy derives its power base from men’s access to and control over resources. The owner of resources has all the decision making powers in the household and overall economy. In the Household the man is the bread winner which give him

How Uganda can avoid the “oil curse”

Recently, 2.5 million barrels of oil were discovered in the Albertine Graben in western Uganda.  Today, it is estimated that Uganda will be able to support production of over 100,000 barrels of oil per day for 20 years.

For ordinary Ugandans, this news has been welcomed with two distinctive forms; the positive and the negative.  In the case of oil discovery, the positive expectations are truly hopes that the valued resource and the associated revenues will deliver substantial social, economic and infrastructural improvements, whilst liberating Ugandans from poverty by boosting economic growth.

Negative expectations also exist since resource abundance is considered a “curse.” While oil discovery presents considerable opportunities, it also carries a risk commonly known as the natural resource curse - a situation where abundance of

Is it possible to fight “corruption” without being selective?

The impunity with which some human beings want to embezzle what belongs to others is appalling and if the youth do not join hands to fight this evil nobody will.

In Uganda today, corruption, the greatest bottleneck to development has spread and penetrated all institutions including the home and the presumably holiest of places on earth - places of worship. The situation is terrible that if curtains were to be removed, the most respected individuals of society would earn more or the same treatment a witchdoctor does due to corruption.

Whereas injustices must be fought at all cost, they should not be fought in a way tantamount to bias. It is wise to appreciate the courage of people who have boldly criticized “unbecoming behavior” and I appeal for balanced efforts. The strong voice that Ugandans use to denounce homosexuality should be applied to denounce more pertinent issues like corruption.

We need to eliminate corruption but this cannot be achieved if it is not adequately addressed and those found guilty held accountable rather than being shielded by the voices “from above.”

Young leaders should take on the ultimate responsibility of promoting good virtues including integrity, honesty, transparency, and accountability and one need not become a politician to take on this responsibility. The struggle starts with you.

The writer is from FOWODE young leaders

Policy alternatives key in improving maternal and child health!

With Statistics revealing that only 32% of women who give birth in Uganda receive care from trained personnel while the majority gives birth at home or under the supervision of traditional birth attendants, different alternatives and policy proposals need to be explored in this country in order to strengthen the already existing efforts by different state and non state actors to improve the access to maternal health care services in Uganda. 

Drawing lessons from other developing countries and projects which are very applicable to Ugandan context, there is need to strengthen access to more wholesome reproductive health care facilities that target mothers and their partners. This will ensure collective action and concern on issues of maternal health. Additionally, research should be geared towards alternative knowledge on maternal health such as traditional birth attendants to improve their services and in human capital development of community health workers such as the nurses, clinical officers and midwives, besides providing them with an attractive salary package. This in the end will ensure more inclusive policy formulation and as well help in integrating indigenous knowledge into internationally recognized practices. However this calls for a legal framework to regulate the work done by these Traditional Birth Attendants. 

Means of monitoring and evaluating health programs should be devised in order to improve on access to maternal and reproductive health and as well checking on accountability and corruption by strengthening government’s capacity to monitor the effectiveness of programs.

With the above interventions many women and children will be saved.

Written by Kaviri Ali

The government should work to improve Maternal and child health

On wbs television talk show organized by FOWO DE

The first ever-African Youth Forum held in Kampala from 17th-19th July 2010 was a vital component of the African Union Summit. The forum enabled young people to discuss how Africa can improve the maternal and children health development. At the end of the forum, the youth developed a memorandum to African leaders, which was submitted to the leaders during the African Union Summit held in Kampala in the same month.

Seeing youth working together for such a noble cause was a sure sign that the next generation is in control and I was happy that I contributed to this cause. Being a self-motivated individual with a passion of fostering change in the lives of people, I did not hesitate when

WITH PEACE AMBASSADOR ANGELA KATATUMBA AHEAD OF ELECTIONS IN 2010

IMPARTING KNOWLEDGE ON GENDER

With Army Spokesperson 

Lt. Col. Felix Kulayige of the Ministry Of Defence / Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF)

with former Uganda broadcasting cooperation s Joel Ssenyonyi

Advocating for a violent free elections

With Singer Jamal

The Five Prayers of a Common-Man

             Anthony Mugabira delivering amessage to leaders

Dear leaders, in church, Politics, NGOs, Tradition and other institutions!!

We are happy for all that you do for this country, we love all your noble contributions; you are worthy of appreciation.

We like the way you love our country, which is by buying luxurious vehicles for your comfortable travel along the badly potholed roads; you only reach out to us on independence, commemoration and burial days.

We are humbled by the pathetic social state of our motherland which is on the brink of total

MENTORSHIP, IS IT IMPORTANT?

MENTORSHIP, IS IT IMPORTANT?

What does it mean to mentor a leader?

Mentoring a leader is the art of:

·         Giving her help and advice over a period of time and often teaching her how to lead.

·         Guiding her to draw a mental picture of her as a leader and consistently helping her to see it grow to maturity.

·         Consistently giving help to a leader to help her improve their skill of leadership and grow to greater heights.

Who is a leader?

·         She is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way to a group of people.

·         She is one who guides a group of people to where they ought to be not where they want to be.

Is it important to mentor women leaders or any other leaders?

Baake Delivering her message to the leaders

According to Mc Gregory’s X theory, people need to be guided on how to do things. Following this theory, there is need for continuous guidance and help to be given to leaders especially the upcoming ones which can be done through mentoring. I therefore think that it is important for us to mentor leaders and especially when they are still young and flexible enough to learn new things. Young people are not yet too rigid with some bad cultural and religious beliefs which are social constructions. What is learnt in the cradle lasts up to the tomb. It is important to mentor women because of the following reasons;