/julkaisu_the_other_voice_marraskuu_2011_

The Other Voice It matters too!

Forced to choose between food and hospital bills Grassroot communities show their coping strategies during harsh economic conditions

INSIDE Crisis centres needed for victims of DV SEE PAGE 44

By Flavia Kyama + TOV Team UGANDA had recorded a strong economic growth since 1992, driven mainly by the services, manufacturing and construction sectors. But what has gone wrong now, with annual inflation hitting 11.1% in March 2011, rising to 18%, and now estimated at 30%?

According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, the current inflation is the highest in 18 years. The exchange rates are in disarry, prices of major commodities are spiraling.

In the health sector, hospital necessities such as beds and drugs are not available; poor maternal conditions continue to claim lives of women and infant, and several expectant women have to sleep on the bare floor. Ugandans are now torn between feeding a hungry child or nursing a sick relative!

But how are grassroot communities coping with the economic hardship?

Nabukenya Cissy, 42, a vendor in one of Kampala’s markets says survival is almost impossible and she can barely make any profit from her sales. Her vegetable business is struggling against the rising fuel prices.

Her breakup of the costs incurred before she can place the produce on her stall is unimaginable. For instance, one cabbage which the middle man obtains at shs. 200 from the village is got at shs.450. Before placing it on her stall she has to part with an offloading charge of shs.300; another shs.

300 for the wheel barrow pusher up to her stall; a monthly market fee of shs. 20,000. But she has to sell it at shs 500!

Nabukenya says: “ The profit margin cannot enable me to pay school dues for my children, or take them to hospital when they fall sick. They therefore have to attend the poorly facilitated UPE schools where there are 200 pupils in one classroom. In such schools, pupils learn on an empty stomach, as parents cannot afford their meals.”

Nabukenya attributes the rising commodity prices on taxes levied on fuel upon which trade survives.

Ali Terusaasira, 55 says, the poor economic situation is due to three factors; monopoly by a few foreign investors to supply commodities, the absence of cooperative societies and the ‘toothless’ Members of Parliament. “ I have come to learn that Uganda is dependent on a few investors who supply basic commodities like sugar.

This inevitably affects the prices which the consumer has to shoulder. The situation is worsened by the absence of functioning cooperatives which would help local farmers to sell off their produce at a relatively fair price, off set the transportation costs, yet ensuring a steady market at all times. Our leaders are simply funny. Once they enter Parliament they forget about the concerns of the electorate.”

Nnaalongo Namagambe, 91, a resident of TtulaKawempe, attributes the economic problems to a “weakening” state whose institutions she says are no longer functional.

She points out poor service delivery marred by corruption, particularly embezzlement of public funds by some people in leadership, crippling the state’s relevance. The swelling population size in the country is also a threat, because the available services cannot absorb people’s demands. Another case for economic instability she says, is the high influx rate of foreigners from neighboring Sudan, Somalia, Rwanda, and others into the country against whom Ugandans have to compete for the few services available.

Proposals to overcome the economic crisis Many believe that the current economic struggles are a result of a privatized economy that ejects an ordinary

w Randy men nown defile their o daughters!

SEE PAGE

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Does your child know his/her rights?

By Birungi Rebecca

Most mothers now find it difficult to balance between feeding their families and paying for essential services like medical treatment. person out of the development equation. They say that consumers have limited choices because of the limited products available on the market that are essential for their daily subsistence.

Most of them called for government’s intervention to bail the ordinary person out of this quagmire.

They feel Government has a responsibility over its citizens, therefore it is wrong to leave the economy in the hands of a few capitalists, who are only profit driven.

They propose that services such as food, transport, garbage collection, construction and maintenance should be a preserve for government.

While urging all to increase production for subsistence and sale, the grassroots communities warned the youth against migrating to towns or cities bujt instead should stay in the villages to till and exploit the las as a way of improving productivity and output.

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JACKY Nammande, a Primary Seven pupil at Zebidayo Kibuuka Memorial Nabutiti Primary School in Busukuma sub county, Wakiso district is aware of her rights as a child! She also mentions Uganda’s constitution as an important source of children’s rights and responsibilities.

Nammande is one of the beneficiaries of gender and education programme carried out by Concern for Child and Women Empowerment (COFCAWE).

She recently interacted with The Other Voice and said that through COFCAWE trainings, she discovered that a child has the Turn to Page 2

The Other Voice and Mama FM are media outlets of The Uganda Media Women’s Association (UMWA), plot 226 Kisaasi, P.O BOX 7263 Kampala, Tel: 03121138, 0414595125, 0772469363 or umwa@umwamamafm.co.ug / umwa@infocom.co.ug

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Sunday November 13 2011

OPINION How much are you doing to promote peace at home?

The Other Voice

Coping strategies during a harsh economic environment From Page 1

FROM Peace in the home to peace in the World: Let’s challenge militarism and end Violence is this year’s global theme of the 16 days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence, (GBV) Countries and states subscribing to the United Nations will, starting November 24 galvanize their efforts and resources and implement activities reminding us of the atrocities inflicted on women because of their gender. It is also a time for all of us to reflect and strategise for new and increased actions to challenge the status quo. For example, Ugandans would want to know what happened to the Domestic Violence Act 2010?

In essence, the global theme implicitly calls for budget revisions at both the local and global level where huge percentages of the annual budgets are spent on military ware, a bed fellow with violence. A renown Centre for Women’s Global leadership (CWGL) in the USA which last year used new ways to utilize the campaign for transformative change indeed found out that governments have skewed priorities, spending huge percentages of their budgets on the military and arms rather than on social services such as education, heath care, job security, and development that would yield real security for women and the general public at large including agriculture, information, improved and accessible transport networks.

The government of Uganda is a major culprit and the situation is not helped by their recent increased use of force against unarmed civilians. The proponents of this theme who in our opinion are progressive, want to see budget shifts towards the social services sectors which bear direct benefits to women and humanity in general. The Other Voice is not saying that Uganda is a military state but there seems to be such tendencies. Scholars define militarism as a political orientation where a government maintains a strong military force and prepares to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests.

This ideology creates a culture of fear and supports the use of violence, aggression, or military interventions for settling disputes and enforcing economic and political interests. It is a psychology that often has grave consequences for the true safety and security of women and of society as a whole. Militarism is a distinctive way of looking at the world; it influences how we see our neighbours, our families, our public life, and other people in the world. To embrace militarism is to presume that everyone has enemies and that violence is an effective way to solve problems.

Therefore The Other Voice contends that to leave militaristic ways of thinking unchallenged, to leave global hierarchies of power firmly in place, to grant impunity to wartime perpetrators of violence against women, is to leave certain forms of masculinity privileged which is tantamount to anarchy.

This year’s Uganda theme, on the 16 dys of Activism Against GBV is From Peace in the home to Peace in the Nation: End Violence against women. For us at The Other Voice we believe that hurting families / homes do not translate into a peaceful nation, unfortunately in Uganda, domestic violence is on the increase. Men and women alike are fearful, children scared of their own parents, many have been maimed, lives lost, the home is no longer a place of love and care, but increasingly becoming a custody of violence. All Ugandans have either been directly or indirectly affected by the vice. And the total sum of all this is reduced productivity, and low development.

We therefore call upon all stakeholders to do their part to stop this menace. You and me have a role to play to combat gender based violence! You can start by improving on your communication, and truthfully respecting your spouse and children!

Sunday November 13 2011

Nnaalongo Namagembe implores Government to go easy on demonstrators.

OTHERS implored government to regulate fuel prices by meeting part of the tax requirement for a litre of fuel. They also reminded experts at the National Agriculture Institute Namulonge, to quicken the process of improving the banana crop’s ability to withstand the crises. This they said would enable farmers to raise these crops. Parliament too was blamed for delaying to pass the law that allows the growing of genetically modified crops GMO, and yet this is critical in the increase of food output.

An open dialogue between the leaders and the led is also key.

Demonstrations such as the “walk to work”, teachers demanding salary increment, taxi drivers demanding better leadership, the city vendors and others, should not be met with harsh resistance from the security agencies.

Nnaalongo Namagembe says; “Civic demonstration is a way in which people show their dissatisfaction with government policy or actions, but the security agencies are very harsh to the citizens.

Dialogue is the only way we need to listen to each other!” adding, Uganda has sufficient resources to cater for all of us but corruption is standing in the way which all stakeholders have to rise up against to be counted Leaders have to be mindful of the people’s concerns and develop a selfless spirit for the good of the citizenry.

‘High prices have not deterred my parental obligations’

Nnaalongo Tezenkana is mother to ten sets of twins, his husband, Ssaalongo Godfrey Isabirye resident in Kigulu, Iganga district: We suspended sugar in the family as you can see, we are a big family. and can consumed a kilogram in just a day. The food is also scarce, so we resorted to taking porridge for lunch and reserve the little food we have for supper. The groundnuts and potatoes and the maize we had planted did not yield due to inadequate rains. We only pray to God for better weather changes to reduce on the suffering. We can no longer afford bodaboda transport to take our children for medication three miles away. We have to walk. We value education

Safina Nansukusa has battled all odds to survive the hard times.

Saving money has empowered and has earned me a high status in society. I am optimistic that in future, I will manage other businesses like selling tomatoes and charcoal to earn an extra income for our family.

Since I am also a parent, I am hesitant to raise the fees despite the rising commodity prices. I do not feel it is fair to ask parents to pay more money. But I have some challenges with some of my clients, who refuse to pay me, and when I report them to the authorities, they too give a deaf ear because the parents would have connived with them already.

I thank God for having spared some strengthen in my hands, and with the help of other parts of the body I am able to do some work.

Ali Terusaasire for children but the income we get from vending tomatoes is not enough. We would require at least shs 500,000 per month.

Ali Mukiibi- Imam for Kiwafu Mosque, Entebbe: During the fasting season, we’re expected to support the needy and poor with some food, but not with the last fasting season. It was difficult to do it as individuals. Those who managed did it sparingly as their own families were also lacking the necessities.

Kuluthum Nindi owns a small shop at Kitubulu village in Entebbe: I can no longer buy meat or fish so we have resorted to veg-

etables which I grow behind my house.I Buying food is now a hassle for most families. used to sell a lot of monthly rent is shs they had even failed to meet Cassava flour but 60,000 for two rooms as their food needs! Formerly the ever since we increased it from me and my wife cannot share the gomesi dealers would send us, shs 600 to shs 1,000 they buy less same bedroom with my children. the retailers, an extra piece which and I keep on wondering what Those who used to be my daily we would make into children’s families eat nowadays if they customers have opted to walking clothes but this is not possible don’t buy from us! Or is it that to and from home saying the little anymore, because there are no they cannot afford even cassava money they have is for food! more extras! flour! From a bag of sugar, I earn shs 10,000 but this too comes David Mubiru, earn shs Jacob Sizomu, boda boda after a long time say one month.

600,000 a months: stage Entebbe: “I could have managed to find I used to earn about shs 30,000 Hajati Salamusita, tailor, school fees for my children who a day but now I get half of that Iganga town attend a boarding school, but I from which my boss demands Usually I make a lot of money found it hard to pack for them shs, 10,000 remaining with only during Iddi festivals which I use other necessities including sanishs 5,000. That amount can to pay the school dues for my tary pads. If it was not the last barely meet my family needs. children, but I did not. Even term in the year, I would have I have three children, a sweet talking my usual customers fixed them in a day’s school! wife and two dependants! My did not yield, explaining that

By Kyama Flavia + TOV Team “…help, help, somebody help, cried one Namakula Eleanor of Kasimbi, Kyankwanzi district; as she fled naked to her neighbour’s house, deep in the night, from her husband who almost beat her to death!

A Community Activist against domestic violence in Wakiso Town Council also recalls a night when he was called to rescue a woman whose husband had beaten her to a point of losing most of her teeth. He found her bleeding profusely, with her little children watching helplessly!

Namakula’s case and others is just a tip of the ice berg of so many other victims in Uganda, crying for help to break away form the abuse….. temporary or permanently. Statistics of abused women are overwhelming……. International and local studies have put over 68% ever married women experiencing the vice Unfortunately victims like Namakula, have to stay put in these abusive relationships. Voluntarily or involuntarily they have to live in those insecure homes, as there are no temporary safe shelters for them, as the case is being resolved.. For many in Namakula’s shoes, getting out of an abusive or violent relationship isn’t easy. Many hope that the situation will improve or are afraid of what their partners or in-laws would say after finding out that they are trying to quit. But even then, the risks of staying in an abusive relationship are more grave.

Your own writer was stuck with her sister-in-law in similar circumstances. I was well aware that my own brother would batter her on a daily basis, but she could not quit her marriage on account of the wellbeing of her children if she left. Our parents kept on urging her to stay for the sake of her children, even when they were well aware that their efforts to tell off their son had met a deaf ear.

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Randy men now defile their own daughters!

By Gladys Kalibbala IF you follow news happening in the country, you will not take two days without a story of a defiled girl in the Uganda media. Unfortunately many are defiled by their fathers or immediate family members. Read these true stories:

By Brenda Chipo MEET Safina Nansukusa 36, a mother of two who says hiked prices have not deterred her from fulfilling her parental obligations Safina may not be your ordinary woman but her captivating smile will not allow you see the hardships she has had to endure for 30 years.

Her hands and legs are both immobile due to a malaria bout that left them paralyzed, when she was only six years old.

So what is this business that has enabled her to challenge the ever increasing prices that even able bodied people have issues with? It is a Day care centre, where? In her 3-room wooden house which she says UMEME authorities advises her to quit for health reasons. And her partner is her sister Nora Nabankema, also disabled, cannot stand up straight, and therefore has to crow from place to place.

“I have been looking after children from the age of three months up to seven years for the past eight years. Their parents reside in Mulimira zone in Bukoto. I started with my two neighbour’s children, Ms Nakaggwa whose work schedule required her to report to her place of work by seven o’clock in the morning yet she had no house helper.

I offered to babysit them and since I had no job she would give me shs 20,000 per month.

Later other parents were happy with my work and now I charge shs 1,000 per kid, a day. By the end of the second year in my business I had 16 children. I am happy with my job as most of the children are calm, but cleaning their pants every now and then can be very challenging given the disability my sister and I suffer from. .“Right now, we eat like bosses! I do not regret this business because I am able to feed, cloth and educate my two children, Miriam Nagadya and Hassan Olipoto.

Cissy Nabukenya

Why crisis centres are necessary for victims of Domestic Violence

Father denies defiling daughter of 15yrs: A fifteen year old girl, Shabibah, who was a student of S1 at Kawempe recently refused to go back to her father’s home. She narrated to Police how her father Salim, a Head teacher in Kawempe defiled and impregnated her and later made her abort which left her bleeding for many days.

Their mother had separated with the father leaving her two daughters with the father. She remained at home with the father while the elder sister was in a boarding school.

Although the father remarried, the defiled girl told Police at Kawempe that her step-mum who operates a clinic around the area always came back home late.

“The first time it happened, dad told me he wanted to show me what all women should do, but cautioned me not to tell anyone as it was confidential between me and him.

The defilement continued whenever he felt like sleeping with me until after a year when I found myself pregnant. When the defilement had just started I informed my elder sister and a neighbor who feared to intervene.

Police says the father was a former rebel and performs satanic actions which scare many people in the neighbourhood. It was also learnt that he always has army men around his school.

“When I became pregnant I told my sister who advised me to confront the father which I did. He locked me in the bedroom and beat me which scared my sister and the step-mum, they fled leaving the two of us in the house. One night, my father threw me in the back of his car and took me to a clinic.

This incident occurred in February 2011, when I was given an injection on the arm and the next time I came around I was in my bed at home feeling pain in the stomach and bleeding. The following day my father sent me to Mityana to my maternal grandmother’s home, who later took me to hospital and reported to the Police in Mityana which transferred the case to Kawempe Police station.

Case gets mismanaged: Sources at Kawempe Police reveal that the elder sister who would have been their witness refused to testify and even turned against the young sister claiming she has never been told about anything.

“She approached me after the incident and advised me to drop the case against our father or else he will never take her to school but I refused and she left. I have never seen her again,” the girls explains.

Police suspects that the father could have warned the elder sister

Ali Kavuma,a Mityana traditional healer, defiled 16-year old.

Man defiles mother, 16 years later defiles daughter!

In May 2011, a 15yr-old girl was defiled and impregnanted by her father, Samson Anonda, an Askari at Saracen, and remanded to Luzira Prison. However her grandfather Patrick Anonda chased her from home for reporting his son to Jinja Road Police station.

Police says this girl was a Primary 6 pupil in one of the schools in Kampala .

She however dropped out after she became pregnant. Her father however acted fast and took her for an abortion where she bled for many weeks. Hear this, “Her mother Abigail owns a hair salon in Nairobi. It is this same man who had defiled her mother 16 years ago and abandoned her!

Anonda who comes from Kakamega in

Ariko John defiled his grandchild of 8 years in Ngora.

Wilfred Pimundu, the defiler of a 13 year old P.3 girl of Mamba Primary school in Nebbi.

Saul Kyamabedde, a former headmaster in Mukono was remanded to Luzira over defilement.

Kenya last year had traced Abigail who had already married someone else and asked to be given his daughter (the defiled one) as he wanted to bring her to Uganda for ‘better education’. The mother surrendered the daughter to the father who later turned into a monster.

The girl says ‘He started defiling me on the second day. I reached home, where I met two of my siblings a boy of 13yrs and a girl of 9yrs all staying in a one-roomed house. He had no wife. The girl who was threatened by the father never to tell anyone said she was embarrassed one night when the brother woke up and watched them in action. Unfortunately when the father was arrested her brother refused to be a witness reasoning that if his father was imprisoned his studies would stop there.

Nebbi girl defiled and chased from home: A 15 year old girl was found stranded in Kajjansi, she had been defiled and was handed to Kajjansi Police. . She had been chased away from home by her Aunt in Kajjansi where she had been staying after the death of her father David Ochen of Aringa village, Nebbi district last year.

She had come to Kampala to look for her mother Grace Achan but ended up in her Aunt’s home. Police learnt that after the husband of her Aunt made her pregnant the Aunt became furious and threw her on the streets.

Kajjumba, a business lady of Kawaala who had forced her into sex trade. She explained: After the death of my father Stephen Byaruhanga of Kiryamubwiga, in 2009, auntie brought me to Kampala, paid my school fees for two years P 6 and 7.

She later told me she had no money to take me through Secondary. We later started vending tomatoes and onions in the evening markets along the streets.

Later she introduced men to me who started using me sexually in the evening.

They used to pay me between 5000/- and 7000/-. I later got fed up when I realized that my Aunt was exploiting me as she used to demand for all the money. I turned to Police for assistance. My auntie was arrested. I refused to go back to her home.

Girl sent into sex by Aunt: In May 2011, a 14 year old girl stormed Police and reported her Aunt Sarah

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Help your child know his/her rights

Nebbi Primary Seven pupil who delivered before her PLE exams hands over baby to her mother.Her predicament did not stop her from going to school.

From Page 1

right to education and her role is to go to school and study because the parents have worked hard to pay her school fees.

She says, “Before exposure through the trainings, I did not know that a child can talk about her inability to do house chores such as collecting firewood or stone quarrying, but now COFCAWE has empowered us on how to approach parents and engage them even on serious matters like sex and child labour.

The child –parent communication is helping us to build peace and harmony in our community.

For example, when my mother sent me to collect firewood after six o’clock in the evening, I told her that since walking in darkness in the forest would expose a girl like me to danger such as defilement or death, I would rather go to the well during daytime and she agreed.

In addition, Nammande says the knowledge acquired enabled her to speak to fellow pupils and girls in the community but notes that it is challenging as some of them have an “attitude.”

Meanwhile Budala Nyindo, a Primary Seven pupil says he does not want to do any wrong because he is obliged to be a responsible citizen. He says of the COFCAWE trainings: It has made me more confident, I can recite some laws about children’s rights. I can speak, and engage children or adults. For example, I was able to intervene in a domestic problem where parents used to beat their children excessively on the pretex of disciplining them, but I told them they were wrong and they stopped.”

Reproductive health Nyindo says he did not know how children acquire sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) although he had heard from friends that they are treatable.

He says after seeing first hand, a person infected with STDs, he discovered that diseases like syphilis, gonorrhea are treatable except for HIV/AIDS whose patients are given Anti-retroviral drugs to prolong their lives.

How the training has empowered Nyindo “This knowledge added to my confidence and health coping strategies. I take wise decisions on health and I am avoiding early

sex which exposes children to health risks such as HIV/AIDs among others.

I urge COFCAWE to extend the gender and reproductive health teaching to other parts of the district especially Nangabo so that children become more responsible in making health decisions. The Project coordinator Reproductive Health Sarah Namugolo said that, through the trainings about rights and responsibilities, parents have become more responsible in providing basic needs such as sanitary pads and food for their children. She notes that, it was due to ignorance of the parents not to provide the necessary requirements to their children.

How the training has changed the lives of parents “Kati nze n’omwani wange tunyumirwa nnyo emikolo gyaffe egy’omu buliri. Naye luli nali mulimba nti ndi mulwadde olw’okutya , obulumi ate nga naye angwira bugwizi, ng’ enkoko. Naye kati antandika bulungi,” One Nakatte exclaims in Luganda meaning, ‘Nowadays I enjoy sex with my husband unlike in the past when I would fake sickness to avoid sex since he would simply grab me without considering my sexual feelings.

Betty Margaret Kityo is a mother of eight children and whose husband was laid off in 1987. She is very appreciative of COFCAWE program she says.

After the retrenchment in 1987, my husband took to over- drinking thus abandoning his responsibilities as a parent and husband.

He would even abuse me in front of the children and had failed to provide school fees for the children. In bed he would simply rape me. But now I’m happy. He has changed, she says.

“The day when COFCAWE sensitized us parents on equal responsibilities, I felt relieved.

My husband and I attended and the message was sent home.

My husband gradually changed his behavoiur. He now helps in the domestic work; He has abandoned drinking and communicates to me in a respective manner. He now appreciates that both parents have the responsibility of looking after the children.

Also, I can now enjoy sex, he no longer rapes me but I also communicate to him my desires,” Betty says.

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Sunday November 13 2011

OPINION How much are you doing to promote peace at home?

The Other Voice

Coping strategies during a harsh economic environment From Page 1

FROM Peace in the home to peace in the World: Let’s challenge militarism and end Violence is this year’s global theme of the 16 days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence, (GBV) Countries and states subscribing to the United Nations will, starting November 24 galvanize their efforts and resources and implement activities reminding us of the atrocities inflicted on women because of their gender. It is also a time for all of us to reflect and strategise for new and increased actions to challenge the status quo. For example, Ugandans would want to know what happened to the Domestic Violence Act 2010?

In essence, the global theme implicitly calls for budget revisions at both the local and global level where huge percentages of the annual budgets are spent on military ware, a bed fellow with violence. A renown Centre for Women’s Global leadership (CWGL) in the USA which last year used new ways to utilize the campaign for transformative change indeed found out that governments have skewed priorities, spending huge percentages of their budgets on the military and arms rather than on social services such as education, heath care, job security, and development that would yield real security for women and the general public at large including agriculture, information, improved and accessible transport networks.

The government of Uganda is a major culprit and the situation is not helped by their recent increased use of force against unarmed civilians. The proponents of this theme who in our opinion are progressive, want to see budget shifts towards the social services sectors which bear direct benefits to women and humanity in general. The Other Voice is not saying that Uganda is a military state but there seems to be such tendencies. Scholars define militarism as a political orientation where a government maintains a strong military force and prepares to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests.

This ideology creates a culture of fear and supports the use of violence, aggression, or military interventions for settling disputes and enforcing economic and political interests. It is a psychology that often has grave consequences for the true safety and security of women and of society as a whole. Militarism is a distinctive way of looking at the world; it influences how we see our neighbours, our families, our public life, and other people in the world. To embrace militarism is to presume that everyone has enemies and that violence is an effective way to solve problems.

Therefore The Other Voice contends that to leave militaristic ways of thinking unchallenged, to leave global hierarchies of power firmly in place, to grant impunity to wartime perpetrators of violence against women, is to leave certain forms of masculinity privileged which is tantamount to anarchy.

This year’s Uganda theme, on the 16 dys of Activism Against GBV is From Peace in the home to Peace in the Nation: End Violence against women. For us at The Other Voice we believe that hurting families / homes do not translate into a peaceful nation, unfortunately in Uganda, domestic violence is on the increase. Men and women alike are fearful, children scared of their own parents, many have been maimed, lives lost, the home is no longer a place of love and care, but increasingly becoming a custody of violence. All Ugandans have either been directly or indirectly affected by the vice. And the total sum of all this is reduced productivity, and low development.

We therefore call upon all stakeholders to do their part to stop this menace. You and me have a role to play to combat gender based violence! You can start by improving on your communication, and truthfully respecting your spouse and children!

Sunday November 13 2011

Nnaalongo Namagembe implores Government to go easy on demonstrators.

OTHERS implored government to regulate fuel prices by meeting part of the tax requirement for a litre of fuel. They also reminded experts at the National Agriculture Institute Namulonge, to quicken the process of improving the banana crop’s ability to withstand the crises. This they said would enable farmers to raise these crops. Parliament too was blamed for delaying to pass the law that allows the growing of genetically modified crops GMO, and yet this is critical in the increase of food output.

An open dialogue between the leaders and the led is also key.

Demonstrations such as the “walk to work”, teachers demanding salary increment, taxi drivers demanding better leadership, the city vendors and others, should not be met with harsh resistance from the security agencies.

Nnaalongo Namagembe says; “Civic demonstration is a way in which people show their dissatisfaction with government policy or actions, but the security agencies are very harsh to the citizens.

Dialogue is the only way we need to listen to each other!” adding, Uganda has sufficient resources to cater for all of us but corruption is standing in the way which all stakeholders have to rise up against to be counted Leaders have to be mindful of the people’s concerns and develop a selfless spirit for the good of the citizenry.

‘High prices have not deterred my parental obligations’

Nnaalongo Tezenkana is mother to ten sets of twins, his husband, Ssaalongo Godfrey Isabirye resident in Kigulu, Iganga district: We suspended sugar in the family as you can see, we are a big family. and can consumed a kilogram in just a day. The food is also scarce, so we resorted to taking porridge for lunch and reserve the little food we have for supper. The groundnuts and potatoes and the maize we had planted did not yield due to inadequate rains. We only pray to God for better weather changes to reduce on the suffering. We can no longer afford bodaboda transport to take our children for medication three miles away. We have to walk. We value education

Safina Nansukusa has battled all odds to survive the hard times.

Saving money has empowered and has earned me a high status in society. I am optimistic that in future, I will manage other businesses like selling tomatoes and charcoal to earn an extra income for our family.

Since I am also a parent, I am hesitant to raise the fees despite the rising commodity prices. I do not feel it is fair to ask parents to pay more money. But I have some challenges with some of my clients, who refuse to pay me, and when I report them to the authorities, they too give a deaf ear because the parents would have connived with them already.

I thank God for having spared some strengthen in my hands, and with the help of other parts of the body I am able to do some work.

Ali Terusaasire for children but the income we get from vending tomatoes is not enough. We would require at least shs 500,000 per month.

Ali Mukiibi- Imam for Kiwafu Mosque, Entebbe: During the fasting season, we’re expected to support the needy and poor with some food, but not with the last fasting season. It was difficult to do it as individuals. Those who managed did it sparingly as their own families were also lacking the necessities.

Kuluthum Nindi owns a small shop at Kitubulu village in Entebbe: I can no longer buy meat or fish so we have resorted to veg-

etables which I grow behind my house.I Buying food is now a hassle for most families. used to sell a lot of monthly rent is shs they had even failed to meet Cassava flour but 60,000 for two rooms as their food needs! Formerly the ever since we increased it from me and my wife cannot share the gomesi dealers would send us, shs 600 to shs 1,000 they buy less same bedroom with my children. the retailers, an extra piece which and I keep on wondering what Those who used to be my daily we would make into children’s families eat nowadays if they customers have opted to walking clothes but this is not possible don’t buy from us! Or is it that to and from home saying the little anymore, because there are no they cannot afford even cassava money they have is for food! more extras! flour! From a bag of sugar, I earn shs 10,000 but this too comes David Mubiru, earn shs Jacob Sizomu, boda boda after a long time say one month.

600,000 a months: stage Entebbe: “I could have managed to find I used to earn about shs 30,000 Hajati Salamusita, tailor, school fees for my children who a day but now I get half of that Iganga town attend a boarding school, but I from which my boss demands Usually I make a lot of money found it hard to pack for them shs, 10,000 remaining with only during Iddi festivals which I use other necessities including sanishs 5,000. That amount can to pay the school dues for my tary pads. If it was not the last barely meet my family needs. children, but I did not. Even term in the year, I would have I have three children, a sweet talking my usual customers fixed them in a day’s school! wife and two dependants! My did not yield, explaining that

By Kyama Flavia + TOV Team “…help, help, somebody help, cried one Namakula Eleanor of Kasimbi, Kyankwanzi district; as she fled naked to her neighbour’s house, deep in the night, from her husband who almost beat her to death!

A Community Activist against domestic violence in Wakiso Town Council also recalls a night when he was called to rescue a woman whose husband had beaten her to a point of losing most of her teeth. He found her bleeding profusely, with her little children watching helplessly!

Namakula’s case and others is just a tip of the ice berg of so many other victims in Uganda, crying for help to break away form the abuse….. temporary or permanently. Statistics of abused women are overwhelming……. International and local studies have put over 68% ever married women experiencing the vice Unfortunately victims like Namakula, have to stay put in these abusive relationships. Voluntarily or involuntarily they have to live in those insecure homes, as there are no temporary safe shelters for them, as the case is being resolved.. For many in Namakula’s shoes, getting out of an abusive or violent relationship isn’t easy. Many hope that the situation will improve or are afraid of what their partners or in-laws would say after finding out that they are trying to quit. But even then, the risks of staying in an abusive relationship are more grave.

Your own writer was stuck with her sister-in-law in similar circumstances. I was well aware that my own brother would batter her on a daily basis, but she could not quit her marriage on account of the wellbeing of her children if she left. Our parents kept on urging her to stay for the sake of her children, even when they were well aware that their efforts to tell off their son had met a deaf ear.

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Randy men now defile their own daughters!

By Gladys Kalibbala IF you follow news happening in the country, you will not take two days without a story of a defiled girl in the Uganda media. Unfortunately many are defiled by their fathers or immediate family members. Read these true stories:

By Brenda Chipo MEET Safina Nansukusa 36, a mother of two who says hiked prices have not deterred her from fulfilling her parental obligations Safina may not be your ordinary woman but her captivating smile will not allow you see the hardships she has had to endure for 30 years.

Her hands and legs are both immobile due to a malaria bout that left them paralyzed, when she was only six years old.

So what is this business that has enabled her to challenge the ever increasing prices that even able bodied people have issues with? It is a Day care centre, where? In her 3-room wooden house which she says UMEME authorities advises her to quit for health reasons. And her partner is her sister Nora Nabankema, also disabled, cannot stand up straight, and therefore has to crow from place to place.

“I have been looking after children from the age of three months up to seven years for the past eight years. Their parents reside in Mulimira zone in Bukoto. I started with my two neighbour’s children, Ms Nakaggwa whose work schedule required her to report to her place of work by seven o’clock in the morning yet she had no house helper.

I offered to babysit them and since I had no job she would give me shs 20,000 per month.

Later other parents were happy with my work and now I charge shs 1,000 per kid, a day. By the end of the second year in my business I had 16 children. I am happy with my job as most of the children are calm, but cleaning their pants every now and then can be very challenging given the disability my sister and I suffer from. .“Right now, we eat like bosses! I do not regret this business because I am able to feed, cloth and educate my two children, Miriam Nagadya and Hassan Olipoto.

Cissy Nabukenya

Why crisis centres are necessary for victims of Domestic Violence

Father denies defiling daughter of 15yrs: A fifteen year old girl, Shabibah, who was a student of S1 at Kawempe recently refused to go back to her father’s home. She narrated to Police how her father Salim, a Head teacher in Kawempe defiled and impregnated her and later made her abort which left her bleeding for many days.

Their mother had separated with the father leaving her two daughters with the father. She remained at home with the father while the elder sister was in a boarding school.

Although the father remarried, the defiled girl told Police at Kawempe that her step-mum who operates a clinic around the area always came back home late.

“The first time it happened, dad told me he wanted to show me what all women should do, but cautioned me not to tell anyone as it was confidential between me and him.

The defilement continued whenever he felt like sleeping with me until after a year when I found myself pregnant. When the defilement had just started I informed my elder sister and a neighbor who feared to intervene.

Police says the father was a former rebel and performs satanic actions which scare many people in the neighbourhood. It was also learnt that he always has army men around his school.

“When I became pregnant I told my sister who advised me to confront the father which I did. He locked me in the bedroom and beat me which scared my sister and the step-mum, they fled leaving the two of us in the house. One night, my father threw me in the back of his car and took me to a clinic.

This incident occurred in February 2011, when I was given an injection on the arm and the next time I came around I was in my bed at home feeling pain in the stomach and bleeding. The following day my father sent me to Mityana to my maternal grandmother’s home, who later took me to hospital and reported to the Police in Mityana which transferred the case to Kawempe Police station.

Case gets mismanaged: Sources at Kawempe Police reveal that the elder sister who would have been their witness refused to testify and even turned against the young sister claiming she has never been told about anything.

“She approached me after the incident and advised me to drop the case against our father or else he will never take her to school but I refused and she left. I have never seen her again,” the girls explains.

Police suspects that the father could have warned the elder sister

Ali Kavuma,a Mityana traditional healer, defiled 16-year old.

Man defiles mother, 16 years later defiles daughter!

In May 2011, a 15yr-old girl was defiled and impregnanted by her father, Samson Anonda, an Askari at Saracen, and remanded to Luzira Prison. However her grandfather Patrick Anonda chased her from home for reporting his son to Jinja Road Police station.

Police says this girl was a Primary 6 pupil in one of the schools in Kampala .

She however dropped out after she became pregnant. Her father however acted fast and took her for an abortion where she bled for many weeks. Hear this, “Her mother Abigail owns a hair salon in Nairobi. It is this same man who had defiled her mother 16 years ago and abandoned her!

Anonda who comes from Kakamega in

Ariko John defiled his grandchild of 8 years in Ngora.

Wilfred Pimundu, the defiler of a 13 year old P.3 girl of Mamba Primary school in Nebbi.

Saul Kyamabedde, a former headmaster in Mukono was remanded to Luzira over defilement.

Kenya last year had traced Abigail who had already married someone else and asked to be given his daughter (the defiled one) as he wanted to bring her to Uganda for ‘better education’. The mother surrendered the daughter to the father who later turned into a monster.

The girl says ‘He started defiling me on the second day. I reached home, where I met two of my siblings a boy of 13yrs and a girl of 9yrs all staying in a one-roomed house. He had no wife. The girl who was threatened by the father never to tell anyone said she was embarrassed one night when the brother woke up and watched them in action. Unfortunately when the father was arrested her brother refused to be a witness reasoning that if his father was imprisoned his studies would stop there.

Nebbi girl defiled and chased from home: A 15 year old girl was found stranded in Kajjansi, she had been defiled and was handed to Kajjansi Police. . She had been chased away from home by her Aunt in Kajjansi where she had been staying after the death of her father David Ochen of Aringa village, Nebbi district last year.

She had come to Kampala to look for her mother Grace Achan but ended up in her Aunt’s home. Police learnt that after the husband of her Aunt made her pregnant the Aunt became furious and threw her on the streets.

Kajjumba, a business lady of Kawaala who had forced her into sex trade. She explained: After the death of my father Stephen Byaruhanga of Kiryamubwiga, in 2009, auntie brought me to Kampala, paid my school fees for two years P 6 and 7.

She later told me she had no money to take me through Secondary. We later started vending tomatoes and onions in the evening markets along the streets.

Later she introduced men to me who started using me sexually in the evening.

They used to pay me between 5000/- and 7000/-. I later got fed up when I realized that my Aunt was exploiting me as she used to demand for all the money. I turned to Police for assistance. My auntie was arrested. I refused to go back to her home.

Girl sent into sex by Aunt: In May 2011, a 14 year old girl stormed Police and reported her Aunt Sarah

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3

Help your child know his/her rights

Nebbi Primary Seven pupil who delivered before her PLE exams hands over baby to her mother.Her predicament did not stop her from going to school.

From Page 1

right to education and her role is to go to school and study because the parents have worked hard to pay her school fees.

She says, “Before exposure through the trainings, I did not know that a child can talk about her inability to do house chores such as collecting firewood or stone quarrying, but now COFCAWE has empowered us on how to approach parents and engage them even on serious matters like sex and child labour.

The child –parent communication is helping us to build peace and harmony in our community.

For example, when my mother sent me to collect firewood after six o’clock in the evening, I told her that since walking in darkness in the forest would expose a girl like me to danger such as defilement or death, I would rather go to the well during daytime and she agreed.

In addition, Nammande says the knowledge acquired enabled her to speak to fellow pupils and girls in the community but notes that it is challenging as some of them have an “attitude.”

Meanwhile Budala Nyindo, a Primary Seven pupil says he does not want to do any wrong because he is obliged to be a responsible citizen. He says of the COFCAWE trainings: It has made me more confident, I can recite some laws about children’s rights. I can speak, and engage children or adults. For example, I was able to intervene in a domestic problem where parents used to beat their children excessively on the pretex of disciplining them, but I told them they were wrong and they stopped.”

Reproductive health Nyindo says he did not know how children acquire sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) although he had heard from friends that they are treatable.

He says after seeing first hand, a person infected with STDs, he discovered that diseases like syphilis, gonorrhea are treatable except for HIV/AIDS whose patients are given Anti-retroviral drugs to prolong their lives.

How the training has empowered Nyindo “This knowledge added to my confidence and health coping strategies. I take wise decisions on health and I am avoiding early

sex which exposes children to health risks such as HIV/AIDs among others.

I urge COFCAWE to extend the gender and reproductive health teaching to other parts of the district especially Nangabo so that children become more responsible in making health decisions. The Project coordinator Reproductive Health Sarah Namugolo said that, through the trainings about rights and responsibilities, parents have become more responsible in providing basic needs such as sanitary pads and food for their children. She notes that, it was due to ignorance of the parents not to provide the necessary requirements to their children.

How the training has changed the lives of parents “Kati nze n’omwani wange tunyumirwa nnyo emikolo gyaffe egy’omu buliri. Naye luli nali mulimba nti ndi mulwadde olw’okutya , obulumi ate nga naye angwira bugwizi, ng’ enkoko. Naye kati antandika bulungi,” One Nakatte exclaims in Luganda meaning, ‘Nowadays I enjoy sex with my husband unlike in the past when I would fake sickness to avoid sex since he would simply grab me without considering my sexual feelings.

Betty Margaret Kityo is a mother of eight children and whose husband was laid off in 1987. She is very appreciative of COFCAWE program she says.

After the retrenchment in 1987, my husband took to over- drinking thus abandoning his responsibilities as a parent and husband.

He would even abuse me in front of the children and had failed to provide school fees for the children. In bed he would simply rape me. But now I’m happy. He has changed, she says.

“The day when COFCAWE sensitized us parents on equal responsibilities, I felt relieved.

My husband and I attended and the message was sent home.

My husband gradually changed his behavoiur. He now helps in the domestic work; He has abandoned drinking and communicates to me in a respective manner. He now appreciates that both parents have the responsibility of looking after the children.

Also, I can now enjoy sex, he no longer rapes me but I also communicate to him my desires,” Betty says.

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Why crisis centres are needed for victims of Domestic Violence From Page 3

T

HE good news is that the ill felt practices of domestic violence can be dealt with by a committed state and vibrant civil society that can devote efforts and resources towards rescuing the abused or battered women or men to live a violent free life, free from constant fear. Shelters available around the globe have proven to be relevant for this cause.

They offer job trainings, legal services, and child care; and the survivors are able to later lead a normal and independent life.

Unfortunately, Uganda is trailing behind some of her fellow African states such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and South Africa, where similar initiatives have been started to respond to victims of domestic and sexual abuse. Women Shelter Uganda (WOSU), in, Kamwokya; is one example which provides temporary refugee and basic necessities for women victims of domestic violence but all these are individual initiatives and Uganda has no state-run domestic violence shelters, which means many women are turned away for lack of space, reports the Amnesty International article on, How Much Does It Cost to Seek Justice in Uganda?

In the DRC for instance, it took only courage for Ms. Ensler, the feminist playwright who wrote “The Vagina Monologues” to respond to women’s outcries on sexual violence. The New York Times article, Fighting Congo’s Ills with Education and an Army of Women, published early this year, offers an insight into the humble beginnings of this initiative where small groups of Congolese women, most of them rape victims, will be groomed to become leaders in their communities so they can eventually rise up and change the sclerotic politics of that country. The courses planned by this initiative include self-defense, human rights; trade and farming; therapy sessions and dance; before they can return to their home villages to empower others.

In South Africa, People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA), formed in 1979, provides referral services and sheltering to women who are experiencing domestic violence, POWA works with other women’s rights organizations and build cross-sectoral alliances which has proved to be one of the most successful strategies adopted by this organization. They raise awareness through direct action and public education around the challenges and obstacles confronted by survivors of sexual violence when attempting to access justice; providing legal support to complainants in sexual violence cases and advocating for a more responsive and protective criminal justice system.

Finland has gone a step ahead, where there are many places and organizations

Community need to work together to fight child defilement:

The venue is Bwaise...flooded and filthy. It is after a heavy down pour, and water was to disappear two days later! But these overzealous men couldn’t wait! They spent the whole evening and night drinking away...what else are they capable of? Crime like Domestic violence? Your guess is as good as mine!

where victims, relatives, children or friends can get help to survive a wide range of violence including empowerment courses to help them lead independent lives. Such organisations include Rape Crisis Centre.

Mother and Child Homes and Shelters and The Finnish Association for Mental Health, among others.

Lessons from Women Care Shelter, an initiative based in the United States are also worthy mentioning. This provides services as a 24 hour help line, available for victims of domestic violence, and / or anyone calling on their behalf. Their 24 hours a day, 7 days a week operation, provides intakes into emergency confidential shelter, give information and referrals to other providers in their community, educate survivors about the dynamics of domestic violence, and safety planning. One on one advocacy based counseling, legal advocacy, financial literacy classes with forgiveness, checking and safety planning, among others. With support from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the centre can now assist victims of domestic violence and their children to obtain permanent housing through subsidies to ensure housing retention and self sufficiency.

The Human Rights The management of UMWA acknowledges support from Watch, reported, September the International Solidarity Foundation, Concern for under, A Victory Against Women and Children, UMWA’s Community Activists Domestic Violence; that against GBV in Wakiso and Kiboga, John Weeraga, Gladys it took Europe persistKalibbala, Rebecca Birungi, Chipo Brenda, Joan Nankya, ent efforts to achieve the Lydia Mutenga, Goretti Nalwoga, Prisca Kiyingi, Olive Convention on Domestic Mutesi, Margaret Mwangi, Lista Ndumba, Clothilda BaViolence. Launched May birekere, Flavia Kyama, Charles Ssuuna, May Nakyejwe, 2011 and so far ratified by Joseph Kibirige, Sarah Muwanga and Margaret Sentamu15 countries, the ConvenMasagazi and those who preferred not to be mentioned. tion calls for establishing hotlines, shelters, medical

Acknowledgement!

Do something to stop defilement

and forensic services, counseling, and legal aid services. HRW further reports that, the convention is designed to help an estimated 25 percent of women in the European region who experience physical or sexual abuse in their lifetime. Regarded as the most comprehensive legal means of fighting domestic violence in Europe, the Convention holds countries accountable by calling for an international body to oversee national efforts to provide these services.

WAY FORWARD What Uganda can pick from these initiatives is that there is always a start for everything. The exciting organisations addressing domestic violence can start shelters but government has an obligation to ensure safety and protection for its people which is why it should be seen to take the lead.

Hundreds of victims are waiting for this kind of service. Like in Europe, Uganda can operationalise the legislation on domestic violence by developing a policy on the establishment of shelters for survivors of domestic violence.

Some of the grassroots women interviewed on this subject matter have expressed great need for these shelters.

Nabantanzi Gertrude of Ssese, Kalangala, says, “This service has been long overdue.

One time I went through the worst experience, after discovering that my husband was a ‘night dancer’. This gave him more powers to abuse me sexually. I could not run anywhere. Even my own parents could not take me back, as they could not refund the dowry and I had to take refuge in a nearby church. Namusisi Rehema, says, the shelters will save a lot of lives because, many women are caged in their homes due to economic dependency.

UMWA’s Executive Director, Margaret Sentamu-Masagazi contends that the government of Uganda should allocate a special budget for these shelters which should be at parish level and well structured with adequate security and protection.

Clothilda Babirekere, Project Coordinator of UMWA’s Domestic Violence Prevention Programme is keen on this condition too, and observes that in most cases, perpetrators tend to follow up the victims up to wherever they have run for help.

Sometimes, families are threatened with death, if they do not ‘surrender’ the victims (abused). She is also concerned about the victims’ maintenance at centers, pointing out that, they should be occupied with activities that would enable them move on with their lives.

The negative perceptions surrounding these shelters according to Sentamu and others can be addressed by nationwide sensitization of the people on the importance of the shelters. The human rights perspective should be stressed here. People should appreciate that the shelters are not there to break up marriages/relations, but to offer temporary relief to survivors of domestic violence who in most cases don’t have any where to go. Clothilda Babirekere adds that her experience in this work has made her appreciate that, there is a time when one can sincerely see that the marriage has failed; and persistence might even cause death.

Economic dependency which makes women remain in abusive marriages/relationships should be addressed by empowering the survivors with entrepreneurial skills for their sustenance, Sentamu says, appealing to a united women’s front to consolidate our achievements against Gender Based Violence and other social problems.

Enock Apuuli Tumwesige, Community Liaison Officer at Old Kampala Police explains that though the rate of defilement has slightly decreased he noted that many cases still go unreported.

“Police at least gets 10% cases reported currently compared to 1% in the past. This is probably due to the sensitization we have done in the community,” he explained.

Tumwesige says a big number of girls defiled under the age of 12yrs will be victims to the people known to them like family members or neighbours.This is due to the fact that majority will still be at home and not exposed like their counterparts from 13yrs and above who get exposure in boarding schools and far away day schools. “Those above 13yrs start moving alone and will interact with teachers, boda-men, Taxi conductors and peers,” he notes Tumwesigye appeals to the communities to come out and give evidence to help stamp out this crime, noting that a number of defilement cases have been thrown out because relatives conceal crucial evidence.

In the past, neighbours used to care about what was happening in the surroundings but these days very few will report such cases for fear of ‘interfering’ in a neighbour’s business.

He advises parents to monitor relationships of friends to their daughters or sons especially if they keep visiting in the home. “In most cases friends of your daughter end up becoming girlfriends to your sons and vice versa,” he warns. He warned those who pretended to assist orphans but later defile them supposedly for paying for the support rendered to them.

Betty Busingye, a teacher, was burnt by her husband Moses Kabwera after dosing her with petrol.

The Other Voice and Mama FM are media outlets of The Uganda Media Women’s Association (UMWA), plot 226 Kisaasi, P.O BOX 7263 Kampala, Tel: 03121138, 0414595125, 0772469363 or umwa@umwamamafm.co.ug / umwa@infocom.co.ug