The Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development (MGLSD), in line with the NRM Manifesto theme of “Taking Uganda to Modernity through Job creation and inclusive Development” 2016-2021, prioritized addressing empowerment of special interest groups (Women, Youth and the Elderly) as well as gender inequalities
In a presentation on Tuesday during the ongoing Manifesto Week, Peace Regis Mutuuzo, the Minister of State for Gender and Culture revealed that the Youth livelihood programme has financed 21,076 projects worth UGX167.579 Billion benefitting 250,006 youth of which 45% are female.
- The recovery of funds is UGX41.980 billion representing 53%. 45.466 youth have been supported under Youth Venture Capital Fund Programme.
- The cumulative value of the funds revolved is UGX160.030 Billion through Centenary Bank.
- Under others (Songhai, green jobs etc) 6,520 beneficiaries have received training and start-up tool kits in different disciplines.
- Over the manifesto period, 80,285 youth have been placed abroad. The majority have got employment in Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Mechanisms are being put in place to ensure orderly, safe and productive externalisation of labour.
Women Empowerment
The UWEP has financed 13,822 projects worth UGX85.615 billion benefiting 166,295 women. UGX18.67Bn has been recovered out of UGX26.30 billion reflecting 70.81%.
The majority of the women are engaged in Agriculture and wholesale and retail trade.
As a result: Direct and indirect Employment created, Domestic Violence has been significantly reduced.
Increase in House hold incomes, there has also been an improvement the financial inclusion for women.
The Confidence level amongst women has improved
There has been a reduction of dependence syndrome.
The contribution to import substitution and export promotion is significant. Women are paying taxes contributing to national development.
Empowerment children
The Uganda helpline (UCHL) has been upgraded to effectively handle and report violence against children and gender based violence (GBV). The centre receives an average of 700 calls on a daily basis.
35 District Action Centres have been established. 6,505 cases of child abuse were received; 2,343 cases have been disposed off while 5,162 cases are on-going.
The ministry has trained 100 Probation Officers on alternative care, coordination networks and collaboration with other stakeholders.
The government has also completed construction of Arua Remand Home; and Kabale Remand Home.
The MGLSD has rehabilitated:
(i) Kampiringisa National Rehabilitation Centre;
(ii) Naguru Remand Home;
(iii) Naguru Reception Centre;
(iv) Fortportal Remand Home; and
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There is ongoing construction at:
(vi) Masindi Remand Home; and Moroto Remand Home.
EMPOWERING PWDs (People with Disabilities)
750 Persons with Disabilities have been trained in the 5 institutions in vocational skills to enhance their employment opportunities.
UGX8 Billion was disbursed to Local Governments for Special Grant for PWDs, CBR and National Council for Disability over the Manifesto period.
60 Health workers from the Ministry of Health trained to enhance their capacity to handle Persons with Disability.
The ministry has implemented Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Strategy countrywide for equalization of opportunities for PWDs within their communities.
Empowering the Elderly
The MGLSD has also rolled out the SAGE programme in all districts benefitting 304,155 older persons of which 121,662 are males and 183,493 females.
National Council for Older Persons fully operational with a substantive Executive Secretary.
The ministry has also been actively involved in combatting child labour, and has developed a framework and plans for the protection of child labour;
A Stakeholders consultation on draft Principles for review of the Employment Act 2006 (Child labour inclusive) was conducted;
MGLSD also provided livelihood support of families at the risk of or envisaged in child labour;
The ministry has also conducted advocacy with the goal of strengthening national and local policies that education and protect children; and
Draft National Action Plan on Child Labour 2017/2018-2021/2022 developed, awaits approval of Top Policy Management.
- Increasing labour productivity and employment;
- Promoting and protecting the rights of the vulnerable and marginalized groups
- Strengthening Social Risk Management and Gender Based Violence Response and Management;
- Empowerment of People with Disabilities (PWDs);
- Empowerment of the Elderly;
- Catalyzing communities to appreciate, demand and uptake social services;
- Provision of Affirmative action for the Urban Poor;
- Rehabilitating of War-Ravaged and impacted Areas;
- Promoting Good Governance; and
- Reducing corruption.
The Mandate of the Social Development Sector is “to empower communities to harness their potential through skills development, labour productivity and cultural growth for sustainable and gender responsive development”.
The key role of the Sector is to promote the rights of the vulnerable and marginalized groups and catalyze them to appreciate, demand and uptake social services.
Therefore, the sector plays a fundamental role in creating demand for social services and laying a foundation for other sectors to improve their delivery to the manifesto outcomes.
