On August 12, ICWEA convened a national policy dialogue between Uganda’s policy makers and advocates for the rights of women living with HIV. The meeting was attended by 10 members of parliament, three other parliamentarians sent representatives and these had conversations with advocates for the rights of women living with HIV from 14 different districts.
The dialogue comes months after the reading of Uganda’s 2016/2017 Financial Budget which saw an increment in the allocation of funds to the health sector. Gratitude for this was unfortunately short-lived since it turned out that the biggest percentage of the money was allocated to the Ministry of Health instead of the lower health facilities which is where majority of women living with HIV go to access HIV care and treatment.
Besides, the increment brings the health sector budget sum up to only 8.7% of the national budget and that remains below the 15% Abuja Declaration target that Uganda committed to fulfill. This leaves the health sector with a huge gap to fill.
Because women bare the biggest burden of HIV, a limited budget affects us the most. This is why women living with HIV through ICWEA have continuously advocated for a budget that realizes; increased health sector funding, economic empowerment of women living with HIV, universal treatment and promotion of our human rights.
Failure to include the above needs and priorities of women living with HIV calls for more engagement and advocacy in the budget processes.
This was the basis of the meeting at which we, women living with HIV expressed the challenges faced in the engagement in the budget processes.
Dr Shaban Mugerwa a representative from Ministry of Health (MOH) informed the gathering about the move by MOH to adopt the World Health Organization test and treat guidelines. This, he, said would start by enrolling those currently under pre-ART care which will enable universal access to treatment, a move that was highly appreciated. He also helped paint a picture of the state of the health sector and highlighted the areas that need more funding.
As a way forward, the advocates called for increased publicity and display of budget processes schedules in places where people can easily see them so that they participate.
In order for the national policy dialogue to be fruitful, for the forthcoming budget cycles, the advocates called for the need to conduct budget processes meetings in local languages so that all the technical terms are explained in a way that people can easily understand and that way their participation is aided.
Having explained that the increment in the health sector budget was not enough, the members of parliament present pledged to do more to ensure that more funds are given in the next budget.
Betty Ochan, the Gulu MP, called for the help of Civil Society Organizations and technical people to break down the status of issues for example how the health sector funds are spent to shade light on what needs to be done to improve the health service delivery.
She added that, “Uganda has enough resources to take care of its people but the problem is lack of prioritization. Civil society and other technical people and work with us to ensure that money is allocated in the areas where it is most needed,”
And the Bukoto East, Masaka district parliamentarian, Florence Namayanja pledged to be an advocate for the rights of women living with HIV.
With knowledge that HIV gender related issues receive the least funds, women living with HIV advocates and parliamentarians finished the dialogue with their work cut out thereafter.
This dialogue was held thanks to the financial support from The Commonwealth Foundation. Other members of parliament present included; Jane Nabulindo Kwoba of Busia District; Mbwa Tekamwa of Kasambya, Mubende District; Joseph Kakoza, Buwekula, Mubende District; Lyandro Komakech of Gulu District, Elizabeth Kalungi, Kanungu District and James Kaberuka, Kanungu District.
