The Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda, Hon. Rukia Nakadama has renewed the Government’s commitment to end female Genital Mutilation which still existed despite all the prohibitions.

Nakadama launched the five-year strategic plan for Uganda Women’s Parliamentary Association at Imperial Royale Hotel on Friday, the 3rd of February, 2023.

“As a government, we shall take it upon ourselves to enter into a bilateral engagement with neighboring countries and end this vice which people still take as a good culture,” said Nakadama during the launch.

“We need to involve men; they are the ones who refuse women from protecting girls from FGM. We need religious leaders on board to work with us to see that FGM comes to an end,” Nakadama said.

She rallied the MPs to use their forthcoming recess to educate people about the 30 percent of the Parish Development funds allocated to women. She was afraid such a provision could be used to discriminate against women from other opportunities, as with the affirmative action that provided for a parliamentary seat for women per district.

The UWOPA Chairperson, Hon. Sarah Opendi said UWOPA’s strategic plan tallies with the government’s intervention to empower women and girls under the PDM.

“We will continue to empower women and girls economically; we hope that the PDM will be a game changer at the grass root level. Our responsibility as UWOPA is to ensure that this money gets to the women,” said Opendi.

The UWOPA five-year strategic plan also aims to improve the quality of health, education for women and girls, women’s participation in politics, peace, security, and the fight against corruption and climate change.

Female genital mutilation has been a big issue, especially in urban areas. The fight against it has been relentless.