CHOGM meeting will be held in Kampala Uganda on the 23-25 November 2007.If you are visiting Uganda at the time you might find this information useful during your free time:
Lets look at the history of BUGANDA KINGDOM
The Kasubi tombs, traditionally known as Muzibu-Azaala-Mpanga, a religious place in the Buganda kingdom is situated on a hill within Kampala-Uganda. The tombs are a burial place for the four previous Kings of Buganda known traditionally as Kabakas, and are situated five kilometers away from Kampala city center on Kasubi hill.The Kasubi tombs are one of the burial grounds/royal tombs of the Kabakas of Buganda, and the site is an example of traditional Ganda Architecture, culture and living traditions. The palace was built by Kabaka Mutesa I in 1882 and according to culture, each king was supposed to be buried at a separate site when he died and a royal shrine to house his jawbone which was believed to contain his spirit was to be established at another site. Mutesa I was the 35th King of Buganda (1856-1884) and the first king to be buried in his former palace (the Tombs) at Kasubi without removing his jawbone. Mwanga II who succeeded his father Mutesa in 1884 was the second king to be buried at the Tombs after his remains were brought back from exile (Seychelles islands) in 1910. His son Daudi Chwa II succeeded him at the age of one year in 1896 and ruled until his death in 1939. He too was buried in the Tombs. Daudi Chwa II was succeeded by his son Edward Mutesa II and the then governor of the Uganda protectorate. He died in 1966 in exile (London) and his remains were brought back and buried in the Tombs in 1971.
The Kasubi Tombs is an important Burial site for the Kabakas of Buganda because old traditions were broken at the site when the Kabakas were buried together. Each prince and princess who is a descendant of the four Kabakas is also buried at Kasubi behind the main shrine. The site is important as a cemetery of the royalty of the Buganda kingdom.
The tombs comprise the Bujjabukula (Gatehouse) a beautifully built gate, which is the entrance of the site. It's constructed with wooden columns and a wall made of wooden woven reeds. The gate leads to a small courtyard with a circular house-House of Royal drums (Ndoga-obukaba) where the drums are kept. In the main courtyard, there are several houses built for the widows of the kabakas and other ritual purposes. At Kasubi and all other royal tombs, there is an area behind a back-cloth curtain known as kibira (forest) where the real Tombs of the kabakas are and where certain royal ceremonies are performed like the new moon ceremony and the consultations of the mediums. In front of the curtain, there are raised platforms corresponding to the position of each kabakas tomb behind the curtain. Entrance to the "Secret forest" is only limited to the widows of the Kabakas, the royal family, the Buganda Prime-minister (katikkiro) and the Nalinya (kabakas official sister).
The Kasubi Tombs are adorned with royal regalia like spears, drums, medals, photographs and shields of the kabakas buried there. The structure is supported by wooden poles wrapped in backcloth and the floor covered with grass and palm leaves mats. Backcloth traditionally popular for clothing is a fabric made from the soft back of a fig tree (Ficus natalensis) and has a strong ritual importance to the people of Uganda. Thatching of the roof is carried out by members of the Ngeye clan (colobus monkey clan) ant the decorators of the poles are from the Leopard clan, who are the only people allowed to do this work. Pregnant women and widows are not allowed to enter the building while its being thatched since this is believed to cause leakage. Similarly, the thatchers are not supposed to have sexual intercourse during the thatching period. The great roof is supported by 52 rings, which represent the 52 clans in the Ganda culture.
The Baganda cultures can also be experienced at sites like Katereke prison where the king imprisoned his brothers in a trench. Naggalabi coronation site, Buddo where the kabakas of Buganda have been crowned for the past 700 years. Wamala Tomb the secret burial place of Kabaka Suuna II (1836-1856) who had 148 wives and 218 Children. Namasole Kanyange Tombs where the mother to Kabaka Suuna II was buried. Ssezibwa Falls is a spiritual place for the kings and Baagalayaze Nnamasole Tombs where the mother of Kabaka Mwanga II was buried.
Naggalabi Buddo Coronation site
The very heart of the Kingdom
Just short of a 20 minutes drive from Kampala the panoramic hilltop at Naggalabi Buddo is the historic heart of Buganda. It was here that the Kingdom was birthed, at the dawn of the 14th century, and it is here that every Kabaka is still crowned. At Naggalabi Buddo you can visit the main sacred sites, and literally walk in the footsteps of the past and present kings.
The day Londoners hosted their king Ronald Mutebi [The High Table]
Read our free issue of the Promota Magazine: http://www.thepromota.co.uk/currentissue.pdf King Ronald mutebi [middle]
The King-Kabaka on Shoulders
Traditional rituals performance
The Baganda in London came in full to meet their King
Family and friends of the kingdom also turned up
WELCOME TO UGANDA
photos: Ayoub mzeeUBUNTU : CHOGM WATCH
PRESS RELEASE
Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon today condemned the horrific attack on the convoy of Mrs Benazir Bhutto in Karachi.
He expressed the revulsion and deep concern of all in the Commonwealth at the loss of many innocent lives and conveyed his condolences to the families of the victims.
He reiterated the Commonwealth’s solidarity with the people of Pakistan at this critical time and assured them of its support in their continuing progress towards credible elections and full democracy.
“The legitimate aspirations of the people of Pakistan to enjoy peace, stability, prosperity and a democratic way of life must not be allowed to be thwarted by senseless acts of violence,” Mr McKinnon said.
Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon today condemned the horrific attack on the convoy of Mrs Benazir Bhutto in Karachi.
He expressed the revulsion and deep concern of all in the Commonwealth at the loss of many innocent lives and conveyed his condolences to the families of the victims.
He reiterated the Commonwealth’s solidarity with the people of Pakistan at this critical time and assured them of its support in their continuing progress towards credible elections and full democracy.
“The legitimate aspirations of the people of Pakistan to enjoy peace, stability, prosperity and a democratic way of life must not be allowed to be thwarted by senseless acts of violence,” Mr McKinnon said.
What happened in the 8WAMM) Eighth Commonwealth Women’s Affairs Ministers Meeting - Kampala - Kampala, Uganda,
1. The 8th Commonwealth Women’s Affairs Ministers Meeting (8WAMM) was held in Kampala, Uganda, from 11-14 June 2007. Delegations from 32 countries attended the meeting. The meeting was opened by H E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda. The keynote address was delivered by the Hon Luisa Dias Diogo, Prime Minister of Mozambique.
2. The Meeting was chaired by the Hon Syda Bbumba, Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Republic of Uganda. All delegations expressed their appreciation to the host Government for the hospitality and excellent conference arrangements for the meeting.
3. Ministers commended the work of the Commonwealth Secretariat particularly the Gender Section in assisting countries in the implementation of the Commonwealth Plan of Action (PoA) for Gender Equality 2005-2015.
4. Ministers acknowledged that increased investments in gender equality must be a priority to ensure sustained economic growth, the achievement of democracy, peace, security and development.
5. Ministers expressed their concern that the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which are seriously off-track are the ones based on the achievement of gender equality: improving maternal health and combating HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases, (MDGs 3, 5 and 6).
6. Ministers emphasised that the timely implementation of the Commonwealth PoA for Gender Equality 2005-2015 requires adequate resources and the operationalisation of the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, as agreed, will require full commitment by member countries of all governments.
7. Ministers noted that substantially more effort is required to achieve gender equality as evidenced by the following statistics in Commonwealth countries:
Only five out of the 53 countries have achieved 30 per cent representation of women in national parliament;
30 million children are not in primary school, the majority of those are girls;
60 per cent of HIV and AIDS cases globally are in the Commonwealth, and a growing proportion are women and girls;
300,000 maternal deaths per annum; and
Some Commonwealth countries are amongst those with the highest infant and maternal mortality rates.
8. The Meeting discussed the following agenda items:
Tracking the Money for Gender Equality
National Women’s Machineries (NWMs) and Public Sector: Role in Financing Gender Equality
Financing HIV and AIDS Interventions: Implications for Gender Equality
Investing in Gender Equality: Promoting Peace and Democracy.
Tracking the Money for Gender Equality
9. There were four Ministerial Roundtables on Aid Effectiveness; Gender Responsive Budgets (GRBs); Microfinance and Innovative Financing for Gender Equality; and Gender and Trade. Ministers’ conclusions from the Roundtables included:
the importance of developing indicators for tracking the money that is being allocated by governments and donors for gender equality and women’s empowerment;
the need to develop and enhance capacity for the implementation of GRBs. Finance Ministers must take the lead in implementing GRBs working closely with NWMs. Gender Audits and impact assessment must be undertaken by respective ministries;
the need to build women’s capacity to access markets, develop products and create an enabling environment for women to scale up their businesses to enter global markets. It is imperative that women participate in trade policy formulation and negotiations; and
the critical role of micro-finance and innovative financing for women’s empowerment and they called for the greater involvement of women in managing micro-finance. Given that there are good practices across the Commonwealth, they emphasised the sharing of lessons learned.
National Women’s Machineries and Public Sector: Role in Financing Gender Equality
10. Ministers stressed that strong NWMs are needed to achieve gender equality and underpin the achievement of wider social and economic goals. NWMs need authority and resources to be effective.
11. Strong NWMs are important now, more than ever, to ensure that national development plans and new aid modalities reflect gender equality. Enhanced responsibility and accountability in the public and private sectors will ensure improved and equitable socio-economic outcomes.
Financing HIV and AIDS Interventions: Implications for Gender Equality
12. Gender inequalities lie at the heart of the HIV epidemic. Ministers called for strengthened national programmes on prevention, treatment, care and support, including ARV treatment, female condoms, microbicides, and research on HIV vaccine.
13. Stigma, cultural and gender stereotyping contribute to women’s vulnerability to sexual and other forms of violence and decreases their ability to protect themselves and negotiate safer sex. This calls for a co-ordinated multisectoral response.
14. The increased feminisation of HIV and AIDS requires enhanced and broader access to gender sensitive sexual and reproductive health services as well as dialogue between women and men, girls and boys.
15. Women and girls bear the disproportionate costs of care yet lack rights to resources such as access to land, finance and information. Ministers emphasised the need to implement policies and commitments to address gender inequality in HIV and AIDS funding and programming.
Investing in Gender Equality: Promoting Peace and Democracy
16. Ministers recognised the uneven and slow progress in achieving the minimum 30 per cent target of women in leadership and decision-making at all levels, and urged governments to provide and implement appropriate laws and policies through constitutional and legislative reforms to achieve gender balance.
17. They highlighted the critical importance of providing financing and voter education, in particular, for women, in order to promote and achieve inclusive democracy and good governance.
18. Acknowledging the negative consequences and impact of conflicts on women and girls, Ministers strongly urge governments to provide resources to address the challenges in conflict and post-conflict situations, including Disarmament, Demobilisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DDRR).
19. Ministers noted that since women and girls bear the brunt of conflict, and also participate as combatants, the need for their involvement in peace negotiations and post-conflict management is critical. Thus, the Ministers urged governments to provide access to women to participate and be represented in these processes.
20. Ministers agreed to the establishment of a Commonwealth Working Group on Gender, Peace and Security.
Other Priority Issues
21. Ministers raised other issues of concern which hinder the full and equal participation of women and impede the socio-economic development of Commonwealth countries. These include:
Maternal mortality
Ministers noted that it is within the grasp of Commonwealth countries to make major strides to reduce persistently high maternal mortality rates.
Education of Girls
Ministers highlighted the critical importance in investing in girls’ education.
Violence against women and girls
Ministers recognised that the on-going level of gender-based violence, most pronounced by male violence against women in Commonwealth countries, is both a shameful abuse of human rights and a significant barrier to positive economic and social outcomes.
Partnership with Men
Ministers noted that changing attitudes and mindsets, and working in partnership with men and boys is critical.
Dialogue with Partners
22. Ministers acknowledged the substantive contributions of Commonwealth intergovernmental bodies, associations and civil society organisations who met under the auspices of the Partners Forum from 8-10 June at the same venue.
23. Ministers further recognised that the challenge of prioritising gender equality can only be addressed effectively through coordinated action and genuine partnership with civil society. Ministers underscored the critical importance of empowering youth and providing resources to build their capacity to participate at all levels.
24. Ministers viewed partners as a valuable source of human, financial and technical capability. They reaffirmed their commitment to collaborate with partners to improve co-ordination.
Gender Architecture
25. Ministers supported the creation of a strong, unified, independent and properly resourced UN entity for gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Emerging Gender Issues
26. Ministers noted that emerging issues as they relate to women, such as Climate Change, Migration, Digital Divide, Diversity and Disability, are matters to be considered when the Plan is reviewed in 2010.
Next Meeting
27. Ministers warmly welcomed the offer of the Government of Barbados to host the Ninth Commonwealth Women’s Affairs Ministers Meeting (9WAMM) in 2010.
Commonwealth SecretariatSpeke Resort & Conference CentreMunyonyo, Kampala, Uganda
June 2007
Download PDF version 8WAMM
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
1. The 8th Commonwealth Women’s Affairs Ministers Meeting (8WAMM) was held in Kampala, Uganda, from 11-14 June 2007. Delegations from 32 countries attended the meeting. The meeting was opened by H E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda. The keynote address was delivered by the Hon Luisa Dias Diogo, Prime Minister of Mozambique.
2. The Meeting was chaired by the Hon Syda Bbumba, Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Republic of Uganda. All delegations expressed their appreciation to the host Government for the hospitality and excellent conference arrangements for the meeting.
3. Ministers commended the work of the Commonwealth Secretariat particularly the Gender Section in assisting countries in the implementation of the Commonwealth Plan of Action (PoA) for Gender Equality 2005-2015.
4. Ministers acknowledged that increased investments in gender equality must be a priority to ensure sustained economic growth, the achievement of democracy, peace, security and development.
5. Ministers expressed their concern that the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which are seriously off-track are the ones based on the achievement of gender equality: improving maternal health and combating HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases, (MDGs 3, 5 and 6).
6. Ministers emphasised that the timely implementation of the Commonwealth PoA for Gender Equality 2005-2015 requires adequate resources and the operationalisation of the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, as agreed, will require full commitment by member countries of all governments.
7. Ministers noted that substantially more effort is required to achieve gender equality as evidenced by the following statistics in Commonwealth countries:
Only five out of the 53 countries have achieved 30 per cent representation of women in national parliament;
30 million children are not in primary school, the majority of those are girls;
60 per cent of HIV and AIDS cases globally are in the Commonwealth, and a growing proportion are women and girls;
300,000 maternal deaths per annum; and
Some Commonwealth countries are amongst those with the highest infant and maternal mortality rates.
8. The Meeting discussed the following agenda items:
Tracking the Money for Gender Equality
National Women’s Machineries (NWMs) and Public Sector: Role in Financing Gender Equality
Financing HIV and AIDS Interventions: Implications for Gender Equality
Investing in Gender Equality: Promoting Peace and Democracy.
Tracking the Money for Gender Equality
9. There were four Ministerial Roundtables on Aid Effectiveness; Gender Responsive Budgets (GRBs); Microfinance and Innovative Financing for Gender Equality; and Gender and Trade. Ministers’ conclusions from the Roundtables included:
the importance of developing indicators for tracking the money that is being allocated by governments and donors for gender equality and women’s empowerment;
the need to develop and enhance capacity for the implementation of GRBs. Finance Ministers must take the lead in implementing GRBs working closely with NWMs. Gender Audits and impact assessment must be undertaken by respective ministries;
the need to build women’s capacity to access markets, develop products and create an enabling environment for women to scale up their businesses to enter global markets. It is imperative that women participate in trade policy formulation and negotiations; and
the critical role of micro-finance and innovative financing for women’s empowerment and they called for the greater involvement of women in managing micro-finance. Given that there are good practices across the Commonwealth, they emphasised the sharing of lessons learned.
National Women’s Machineries and Public Sector: Role in Financing Gender Equality
10. Ministers stressed that strong NWMs are needed to achieve gender equality and underpin the achievement of wider social and economic goals. NWMs need authority and resources to be effective.
11. Strong NWMs are important now, more than ever, to ensure that national development plans and new aid modalities reflect gender equality. Enhanced responsibility and accountability in the public and private sectors will ensure improved and equitable socio-economic outcomes.
Financing HIV and AIDS Interventions: Implications for Gender Equality
12. Gender inequalities lie at the heart of the HIV epidemic. Ministers called for strengthened national programmes on prevention, treatment, care and support, including ARV treatment, female condoms, microbicides, and research on HIV vaccine.
13. Stigma, cultural and gender stereotyping contribute to women’s vulnerability to sexual and other forms of violence and decreases their ability to protect themselves and negotiate safer sex. This calls for a co-ordinated multisectoral response.
14. The increased feminisation of HIV and AIDS requires enhanced and broader access to gender sensitive sexual and reproductive health services as well as dialogue between women and men, girls and boys.
15. Women and girls bear the disproportionate costs of care yet lack rights to resources such as access to land, finance and information. Ministers emphasised the need to implement policies and commitments to address gender inequality in HIV and AIDS funding and programming.
Investing in Gender Equality: Promoting Peace and Democracy
16. Ministers recognised the uneven and slow progress in achieving the minimum 30 per cent target of women in leadership and decision-making at all levels, and urged governments to provide and implement appropriate laws and policies through constitutional and legislative reforms to achieve gender balance.
17. They highlighted the critical importance of providing financing and voter education, in particular, for women, in order to promote and achieve inclusive democracy and good governance.
18. Acknowledging the negative consequences and impact of conflicts on women and girls, Ministers strongly urge governments to provide resources to address the challenges in conflict and post-conflict situations, including Disarmament, Demobilisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DDRR).
19. Ministers noted that since women and girls bear the brunt of conflict, and also participate as combatants, the need for their involvement in peace negotiations and post-conflict management is critical. Thus, the Ministers urged governments to provide access to women to participate and be represented in these processes.
20. Ministers agreed to the establishment of a Commonwealth Working Group on Gender, Peace and Security.
Other Priority Issues
21. Ministers raised other issues of concern which hinder the full and equal participation of women and impede the socio-economic development of Commonwealth countries. These include:
Maternal mortality
Ministers noted that it is within the grasp of Commonwealth countries to make major strides to reduce persistently high maternal mortality rates.
Education of Girls
Ministers highlighted the critical importance in investing in girls’ education.
Violence against women and girls
Ministers recognised that the on-going level of gender-based violence, most pronounced by male violence against women in Commonwealth countries, is both a shameful abuse of human rights and a significant barrier to positive economic and social outcomes.
Partnership with Men
Ministers noted that changing attitudes and mindsets, and working in partnership with men and boys is critical.
Dialogue with Partners
22. Ministers acknowledged the substantive contributions of Commonwealth intergovernmental bodies, associations and civil society organisations who met under the auspices of the Partners Forum from 8-10 June at the same venue.
23. Ministers further recognised that the challenge of prioritising gender equality can only be addressed effectively through coordinated action and genuine partnership with civil society. Ministers underscored the critical importance of empowering youth and providing resources to build their capacity to participate at all levels.
24. Ministers viewed partners as a valuable source of human, financial and technical capability. They reaffirmed their commitment to collaborate with partners to improve co-ordination.
Gender Architecture
25. Ministers supported the creation of a strong, unified, independent and properly resourced UN entity for gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Emerging Gender Issues
26. Ministers noted that emerging issues as they relate to women, such as Climate Change, Migration, Digital Divide, Diversity and Disability, are matters to be considered when the Plan is reviewed in 2010.
Next Meeting
27. Ministers warmly welcomed the offer of the Government of Barbados to host the Ninth Commonwealth Women’s Affairs Ministers Meeting (9WAMM) in 2010.
Commonwealth SecretariatSpeke Resort & Conference CentreMunyonyo, Kampala, Uganda
June 2007
Download PDF version 8WAMM
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
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