Welcome to our weekly newsletter, this week we share with you the CSO new year message, a letter to world leaders on action 2015 plus gender and governance news that made headlines.

1. Uganda@50
FOWODE E-NEWS
12th – 16th, January 2015
♀ CREATING A FUTURE OF PROMISE AND PROSPERITY
♀ ACTION 2015: AN OPEN LETTER TO WORLD LEADERS
♀ GENDER AND GOVERNANCE NEWS THAT MADE HEADLINES
FOWODE E-NEWS, P.O BOX 7176, Kampala Uganda | Plot 15 Vubya Close, Ntinda Nakawa Rd.
Email: fowode@fowode.org Web: www.fowode.org. Facebook:http://facebook.com/FowodeUganda

2. Forum for Women in Democracy represented by Executive director Patricia Munabi joined the rest of Uganda’s civil society to pass on the 2015 New
Year’s message. She through our community radio station Speak FM, passed on the message to the people of Northern Uganda.
The message recapped the milestones, major fault-lines of 2014, aspirations and commitments for 2015. In 2014, momentum and consensus on the
need for Free and Fair Elections was gathered, this year saw “one of the most formidable citizens’ efforts towards building the momentum to
advocate for free and fair elections in Uganda.
Milestones
Civil society did not relent in the campaign against theft of public funds. The Black Monday Movement sustained the campaign against theft of
public resources. The overall objective of the Black Monday Movement is to mobilize citizens to mount a sustained assault against the injustice of
corruption. The Black Monday Movement’s flagship newsletter has gone far and wide and mobilization of citizens through popular music and other
types of popular forms of communication represents an unrelenting effort that is keeping the fight against corruption a major issue in the
development terrain. We are proud to say that in March, during the women’s month, we spear headed the production of the black Monday
newsletter and we continue to put on black every Monday.
Key to note is that Uganda in 2014 was that Uganda assumed the Presidency of the UN General Assembly. This is an achievement that should be
celebrated by all Ugandans and more so because it puts our country in a driving seats to shape the post-2015 global development agenda. The
opposition to our candidate assuming that position taught Ugandans that individual consequences have consequences and that living a life of
honesty and integrity has value for us as individuals but also for our country.
In 2014, citizens continue to speak out on actions to shape political and economic future of the county. Several Young people across the country
expressed concerns about the fact that many of them were unemployed and they demanded that the government listens and takes actions. Within
civil society, there was also the recognition that it is no longer tenable to expect politicians to be the only ones to continue defining the future of
Uganda. The Citizen Manifesto, the Youth Roadmap to 2016, the Women’s Agenda 2016 and several other initiatives must thus be celebrated and
encouraged for heightened engagement of citizens as the true expression of the resolve and commitment by each one of us to build a better Uganda.
Major Fault lines
Even as achievements were being celebrated, Civil society acknowledged that there were a number of challenges that we must not loose sight of,
knowing these will held shape the future.
Crisis of Institutions: Uganda in 2014 saw a further slide back in key institutional performance. For a second year running, we saw the Judiciary
straddle without a substantive Chief Justice, The Parliament consistently failed to raise quorum but also passed some of the most anti-civil liberties
legislation. The infighting within the major political and generally the absence of internal democracy among our political parties clearly undermine
their emergence as important pillars of our democracy. The deployment of all the military assets of the country: the special forces, the regular forces,
all the elements of the Uganda police force, and the RDCs to secure the delegates conference of the ruling party and the associated cost on the
Ugandan taxpayer raises fundamental questions as to the character of the ruling party and its apparent fusion with the state.
The Continued theft of public funds, The Office of the Auditor General and other accountability agencies have tried to lead the fight against the theft
from the taxpaying public; Mukono-Katosi Road or the Standard Gauge Railway is clear evidence of lack of political will on the part of the executive
to confront the cancer of corruption.
Assault on Freedom of Association and Expression, where Disagreements within parties and other institutions were met with threats and isolation
and intolerance was evident. The break-up of some meetings especially up country convened by political parties especially in the opposition
reminded us of the dark times in Uganda’s history.
Youth unemployment continued to bit hard in 2014, yet the Government continued to give cash handouts and other patronage programmes that can
only provide short-term solutions and postpone the problem.
Increasing militarization of society, no matter the justifications by Government, the increasing militarization of every aspect of our public life is a
major fault line that will impact significantly on our future as a country. Over the last three years, we have seen the military take over the command
of the Uganda Police Force and the tdelivery of agricultural extension services; the Constitution Square has become a no go area for the public, while
the Kololo ceremonial grounds have been nearly turned into a military garrison. The clear diversion of our security forces from the basic
constitutional mandate is a troubling development.
Re-affirm that the Citizen is Central: As we pointed out in 2014, citizens in Uganda have for long faced situations of civic deficiency. Promoting
countrywide awareness campaigns of the necessary electoral reforms, advocating for parliament to adopt the reforms and consider them in
discussion of electoral management and implementing all actions as stipulated in the compact
Engaging with citizens on the question of transition especially that Uganda has had one president for over 28 years now. As tha anxiety over this
question rises, discussions should not be delayed.
Reclaiming the integrity of institutions. Even as the country faces a major institution crisis, the Civil Society acknowledges that a strong, credible and
accountable state institutions. There is therefor need for separation of powers and institutional development of three arms of government; Parliament,
Judiciary and the Executive, so this year hopefully will see a new chief justice appointed in the first quarter of 2015.
CREATING A FUTURE OF PROMISE AND PROSPERITY
A
2015
YEAR
MESSAGE
FROM
CIVIL
SOCIETY

3. As
the
campaign
launches,
some
of
the
worlds
most
influential
and
concerned
citizens
have
come
together
to
call
on
our
leaders
to
make
the
right
decisions
and
take
the
right
path
in
the
year
ahead.
Open Letter to World Leaders
Dear World Leaders,
Cc: Everyone else
There are moments in history that become turning points. In our view, 2015 will be such a moment. It is the most important year
for global decision-making since the start of the new millennium. We believe it’s just possible that we could end 2015 with a new
global compact an agreed pathway to a better, safer future for people and planet that will inspire all the citizens of the world. We
can choose the path of sustainable development. Or we might not and regret it for generations to come. Which side of history will
you be on?
There are millions of voices you can’t afford to ignore the voices of the people you represent. They are voices of all ages from every
corner of the planet the voice of a young girl currently deprived an education... of a pregnant mother deprived healthcare... of
young people deprived decent work... of a family from a minority group fearful of discrimination from corrupt officials... of
farmers forced to migrate to cities as climate refugees... and of billions of other people. Their voices will roar ever louder against the
inequality and injustice that keep people poor. They and all who stand with them are calling on you to come up with a grand new
global contract for our one human family and then deliver on it together. The great news is that in 2015 you have a historic chance
to do just that.
Two critical United Nations summits will take place this year. The first in September, where the world must agree new goals to
eradicate extreme poverty, tackle inequality and ensure a more sustainable planet. The second is the climate summit in December
where we must ensure the wellbeing of people today doesn’t come at the expense of our children’s futures.
Together with critical discussions on financing, these opportunities are the biggest of our lifetime. We know from past efforts
against AIDS, malaria, preventable diseases and saving the ozone layer that when we come together, so much can be achieved. Yet,
with just months to go before these summits, few leaders are playing the leadership roles we need. We see climate progress but not
yet of the scale that is needed, and a set of goals that
are hugely ambitious but will be meaningless without brave financing and implementation agreements led from the very top.
If this does not change, we fear you and your fellow leaders could be sleep walking the world towards one of the greatest failures
of recent history. It’s not too late to rise to the occasion. We’re asking you to help lead that change.
Let’s be clear: the actions we take in 2015 will decide which way the world turns for decades to come. Please take the right path.
Yours
Aamir Khan, Actor & campaigner
Angelique Kidjo Singer songwriter & activist , Annie Lennox OBE, musician & activist , Ben Affleck Actor, Filmmaker & Founder
of Eastern
Congo Initiative ,Bill Gates, Co Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation Bono, Lead singer of U2 & cofounder of ONE and (RED) −Dbanj Musician & activist , Emeritus Archbishop Desmond
Tutu, −Gro Harlem Brundtland, Former Prime Minister, Norway Hugh Jackman Actor Kid President –Brad Montague & Robby
Novak −Prof Jeffrey Sachs , Director of the Earth Institute &
author of The Age of Sustainable Development Jimmy Wales, Founder of Wikipedia
−Jody Williams, 1997 Nobel Peace Laureate & Chair of Nobel Women’s Initiative −José Padilha, Film Director −Leymah Gbowe,
2011 Nobel Peace Laureate −Malala Yousafzai, Co- Founder of the Malala Fund & 2014 Nobel Peace Laureate −Mary Robinson,
President, Mary Robinson Fou ndation Climate Justice −Matt Damon
, Actor & Founder of Water.org Melinda Gates , Co Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Mia Farrow, Actor & activist
−Mo Ibrahim Philanthropist & campaigner Muhammad Yunus , 2006 Nobel Peace Laureate Queen Rania Al Abdullah, Richard
Branson , Founder of the Virgin Group Ricken Patel
, President and Executive Director of Avaaz Shakira singer songwriter, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Sharan Burrow, General
Secretary of the nternational Trade Union Confederation Sting, Musician, singer, songwriter, and activist−TedTurner Chairman,
United Nations Foundation Wagner Moura
, Actor Yvonne Chaka Chaka President of the Princess of Africa Foundation

4. Police Clobber Ugandan Journalists
WBS Journalists Andrew Lwanga beaten near death by Old Kampala DPC Joram mwesigye. The DPC was later
suspended and detained.
See more http://chimpreports.com/photos-police-clobber-ugandan-journalists/
Opposition are like Panadol- Tadwong
Busia. As campaigns for the by elections for the Busia District chairperson hot up, Mr Richard Todwong, the
deputy Secretary General of the ruling National Resistance movement (NRM) has compared the Opposition
alliance to Panadol, the tablet which only relieves pain but cannot cure the disease. He said the Opposition were
busy telling lies to the people in Busia that they had solutions to their problems when they know they do not
have any redress
See more at http://bit.ly/1541vV3
Elections can’t oust Museveni – Research
A new book authored by political scientists backs Col Kizza Besigye’s view that it is impossible to oust President
Museveni through elections he organises and controls. Titled Elections In A Hybrid Regime: Revisiting The 2011
Ugandan Polls, the book by local and international researchers comes to the conclusion that an election is
unlikely to cause political change or bring about democratisation in Uganda under the current circumstances.
See more at http://bit.ly/1zmpF9Z
Boko Haram killed woman in labour: Amnesty. 'Rules' area larger
than Rwanda, Gambia, Comoros combined
BOKO Haram fighters killed a woman as she was in labour during what is feared to be the
deadliest attack in the militants’ six-year insurgency, Amnesty International claimed on Thursday.
The human rights group said one witness to the assault on Baga, on the shores of Lake Chad in
northeast Nigeria, told them the woman was shot by indiscriminate fire that also cut down small
children.
See more http://mgafrica.com/article/2015-01-15-boko-haram-killed-woman-in-labour-during-attack-amnesty/
Gender and Governance News that made headlines this week
Governance and Gender News Making Headlines
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