Remarks at Launch of Women Peace and Security Programme

• The Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Honourable Betty Amongi
• Honourable Members of Parliament Present
• Members of the Diplomatic Community
• Representatives from Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies
• District Local Government officials present
• Representatives of the Civil Society
• Colleagues from the United Nations Family
• Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen gathered here and those following online,

Good morning!

It gives us great pleasure, as the UN family in Uganda to celebrate the progress Uganda has made in the advancement of the Women Peace and Security agenda.

In 2000, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 1325 was a landmark resolution marking it the first time the Security Council recognised that efforts to build and maintain peace and security are more effective and sustainable when women meaningfully participate and have influence in the relevant political and security decision-making processes, and when their unique needs and experiences during conflict and crisis are meaningfully addressed. 

The Resolution addresses the gender dimensions of armed conflict; the undervalued and underutilized contributions that women make to conflict prevention, peacekeeping, conflict resolution and peace-building; and the importance of ensuring women’s equal and full participation as active agents at all levels.

In his 2023 New Year message, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on all of us to “put peace at the heart of our words and actions” – acknowledging that “in 2023, we need peace, now more than ever.” The UN's proposed New Agenda for Peace includes a focus on investing in prevention to avoid conflict, as well as greater participation of women and youth.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The implementation of Uganda’s Third National Action Plan (NAP III) on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) and the launch of this programme on Women, Peace and Security moves us strongly towards the direction of UN Secretary-General’s inspiring call to action. And with all the turmoil in the world today both in far away lands ad in our neighbourhood can all agree that investing in peace, social cohesion conflict prevention.

I commend the commitment of the Government of Uganda to UNSCR 1325, as demonstrated by its progressive NAPIII, which has been recognized worldwide as a blueprint on how to implement this important agenda. I also applaud the 10 ministries, departments and agencies that have developed operational plans to implement the NAP at an institutional, national and local level. I sincerely applaud the District Local Governments of Yumbe, Amuria, Kaberamaido and Kasese, which committed one percent of their FY2021/2022 district budget towards the implementation of their Local Action Plans – I urge other District Local Governments to emulate this excellent practice.

I also urge the Government to consider inclusion of WPS in the gender and equity tool that tracks compliance and commitment of MDAs towards gender inclusion in their plans and budgets. This will facilitate Uganda’s third NAP on women, peace, and security is financed, fully implemented, and effectively contributes to sustainable peace at all levels, especially to transform the experiences of the most vulnerable. 

While we applaud these commendable efforts, a study conducted by Makerere University on the implementation of UNSCR 1325 in Uganda noted that women’s participation in peace processes and conflict prevention activities continues to be undermined by structural and systemic barriers.  And this is an issue of norms, our social habits have not caught up with som of the needed areas of direction we have to travel.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We know women’s agency, voices, and capacities are critical to foster inclusive policies and more equitable and sustainable peace for environment at all levels. It is therefore imperative that we address the norms and habits holding us back and deliberately amplify the voices of those we normally see.

So let’s continue the great work started to build solidarity for women’s participation, protection, and rights across the humanitarian, development, and peace nexus. When I was introduced to WPS programme a year or so ago I was impressed by the component implemented by civil society organisation specifically grass roots civil society organisations. Look forward to continuing growing this cooperation.

Through the Cooperation Framework (2021 – 2025), the UN in Uganda continues to advocate and support the Government and the people of Uganda to uphold and promote a peaceful and inclusive society for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels as provided for in SDG 16. These efforts are aligned with with one of the core fundamentals of development under Uganda Vision 2040 which is further illustrated in the 3rd National Action Plan on Women Peace and Security.

As I conclude, I would like to thank the Norwegian Government for the grant of US$5 million to support the Government of Uganda’s efforts to implement NAP III which sets a clear vision for women, peace, and security agenda in the country under the “Women lead and benefit from sustainable and inclusive peace and security” programme over the four years 2022 – 2026.

Thank you to the Government of Norway. Thanks to all partners in the room. I look forward to our continued work on this very important issue.

I thank you all.