From Intention to Outcome: Assessing Government of Uganda’s Investment in a Just Post COVID-19 Recovery

By Benard Mujuni

The COVID-19 pandemic that has had a devastating impact globally has not spared Uganda’s economy. The Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development has seen an increase in demand of its services amidst a stringent budget due to vulnerable populations losing their livelihoods and assets due to the pandemic including Low staffing levels to address social discrimination issues.

The prevalence of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Uganda remains high: Over the pandemic review period, physical violence remained high although it has reduced to 51.5% in 2016 as compared to 59.9% in 2006 (UDHS, 2018). In addition, 22% of women and 8% of men have ever experienced sexual violence. GBV cases skyrocketed last year to over 2000 cases reported to police attributed to the strict lock down.

According to the national social protection policy of Uganda (2015), there is limited coverage of Social Protection leaving out the informal sector and those aged 65 years: Despite high levels of poverty and vulnerability, only less than 4.5% of Uganda’s population has access to some form of social protection. Most of the social protection interventions cover only the formal sector, which accounts for only 5.1 per cent of the entire working population.

World over, the COVID-19 pandemic has been noted to be having far-reaching impact on labour market outcomes. Beyond the urgent concerns about the health of workers and their families, the virus and the subsequent economic shocks have impacted the world of work across three key dimensions: 1) The quantity of jobs (both unemployment and underemployment); 2) The quality of work (e.g. wages and access to social protection); and 3) Effects on specific groups who are more vulnerable to adverse labour market outcomes (youth, women, children, persons with disabilities, unprotected workers, migrant workers among others).

The effects of COVID-19 have already been felt in the tourism, education, health, transport and industrial/manufacturing sectors among others. It is important to note that COVID-19 pandemic has left many employers constrained with matters related to maintenance of the workforce and labour productivity.

COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the employment agreements, leave and overall employer-employee relationships. Similarly, the layoff/termination of workers and reduction in productivity levels among others have been noted in many workplaces. There is dire need for re-skilling and technology adaptation.

A  JUST   RECOVERY?

The Government of the Republic of Uganda has developed various initiatives to counteract the effects of socio-economic shocks of COVID-19 and its resultant impact to wit, Strengthening of Expanding Social Protection (ESP) Program. To this effect, the Senior Citizens Grant, initiated under the Social Assistance Grant for empowerment has, to date, disbursed to 304,959 older persons of (121,984 Males and 182,975 Females) an equivalent of over UGX100 billion

It is also imperative to know that other Special Grants for PWDs and Older Persons have also been rolled out in the whole Country equivalent to UGX18 billions per a num. These funds go to the Local Government Districts, which in turn equitably identify the beneficiaries.

The Ministry also Implemented the UGX53.4 billion Transfer COVID-19 Relief Fund to Vulnerable Persons in urban areas.The Government of Uganda Identified the vulnerable groups that depended on daily earning in urban areas especially Kampala; and all urban centres countrywide, reaching 501,107 households (38% of the total households) in the Kampala Metropolitan Area.

Government approved The National Social Security Fund (Midterm Access To Benefits) Regulations, 2022 in order to actualise midterm access to benefits that is provided for under the National Social Security Fund (Amendment) Act 2022. This enabled employees affected by COVID-19 shocks to access part of their benefit as a stop gap measure to the effects of the pandemic in the short and medium term

In the same period government also disbursed UGX9.156 billion to 1248 women groups benefiting 10,562 women under the UWEP programme. Further 79% of the funds sunk into the different benefiting women groups have been recovered and remitted to the consolidated fund.

Suffice therefore to note that, UGX.40.227 billions has been recovered from beneficiaries under the Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP) out of UGX.78.1 billion due (51%). UGX18.249 billions have since been revolved financing 2,173 Projects benefiting 20,086 Youths.

A just recovery can not occur without clear mind set change as regularly advanced by H.E the President. Government through MGLSD Finalised a Manual on Mindset Change and Cross Cutting Issues pillar of the Parish Development Model, which provides affirmative action in allocation of PDM funds as follows; 30% to women, 30% to youth, 10% to older persons,10% to PWDs and 20% for other interest groups.

Evidently, during FY, 2021/2022, Government invested heavily in management of gender-based violence cases through Upgrade of the Sauti -116 Helpline System to handle both Violence against Children and Gender Based Violence. Through this initiative, 1,898 cases were handled and concluded- excluding those handled at Local Government Level.

It is important to note, that, the rich Legal and Policy Frameworks developed by Government to support investment in a just and fair recovery from the effects of Covid-19 Pandemic include; the Equal Opportunities Commission Act, No. 2 of 2007 (EOC Act); Section 14 (1) and 14 (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of the Equal Opportunities Commission Act, 2007 provides the requirement for all state and non-state institutions to comply with gender and equity planning and budgeting.

In the affirmative, the Public Finance Management Act, 2015 (PFMA); provides for gender and equity responsive planning and budgeting under; Sections 9 (6) (a) and (b); 13 (11) e (i) and (ii);  and 13 (15) g (i) and (ii)

Finally, the National Equal Opportunities Policy, 2006, and, the National Equity Promotion Strategy, 2012 that provide for elimination of all forms discrimination and marginalisation in the development process among others are in place as the Ministry seeks to move ahead with the newly Cabinet approved  Social Impact Assessment and Accountability Bill to provide for the  establishment of  a Social Registry.

It is important to note, that the above interventions are largely or only those captured under the Social Development Sector. Each sector has had its Sector specific interventions geared at addressing the negative impact of   Covid-19 pandemic.

Benard Mujuni, Legal and Policy Specialist

benardmujuni@gmail.com