sayosays

The discovery of oil has heralded a new economic, social, political and environmental dawn for Uganda.. According to the Petroleum Exploration and Production Department, Uganda’s oil reserves are expected to yield US 12billion a year which would put the country among the foremost of African oil producers. The country has been described as Africa’s hottest inland exploration frontier. With all these expected benefits, it is imperative that both men and women benefit equally from the proceeds of oil exploration and exploitation. Uganda’s national laws and policies recognize the need for gender equality. In addition, Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals stresses the importance of mainstreaming gender in all aspects of development. Women play a variety of crucial roles in the Extractives Industry (EI). From participating in the mineral exploration, to processing, owning mining sites and equipment to buying and selling to agents. However, at the recent regional Sharefair for Wom...

Maybe it was in-born, maybe it was a habit I picked along the way, maybe it was my calling, but for whatever reason it was I must say it has been a journey flowered with fulfillment. Service to the community through volunteering started when I was 16 years old back then in high school. I remember my parents struggling to raise my school fees. It was not easy for them, and it too wasn’t easy for me, to see how hard they ensured I stayed in school and pursue my studies. Needless to say, I could see their love through the hustle they went through and this would trigger me to volunteer in different programs in school leading to my selection to join the Junior Achievement Club. As a member of the club we pioneered a HIV/AIDS programme geared towards supporting needy children at the Carolina for Kibera Children’s home. We would make ribbons and sell them and have the proceeds go to the home. I didn’t put much thought into what I was doing back then but all I remember is that it felt r...

Africa youth must rise up and take part in participatory democracy if they are to change the continent. That was the message delivered to 500 youth in Maputo at the 2nd Africa Youth Conference on Democracy and Good Governance by former South African President H.E Thabo Mbeki. The conference which was convened by the Parlamento Juvenil du Mocambique (Mozambique Youth Parliament) had the theme ‘Africa Beyond 2015’ and focused on strategies young people across Africa can use to effectively engage in implementation and monitoring of development goals. "Being young and irreverent is not all. You need to organize yourselves so that your role can increasingly be significant in combating the ills facing Africa," said Mr Mbeki who spoke during a panel discussion on the legacy and lessons from African leaders. Citing examples of the Young African Students, the African Women's League and other groups that brought together citizens from different countries, Mr Mbeki challenged...