The debate for who actually needs affirmative action and when has been going for long. Ultimate Media’s Olive Eyotaru interviewed a cross section of Ugandans on what they think about affirmative action and who deserves to be given affirmative action.

Minister of Education and Sports, Geraldine Namirembe Bitamazire

“The affirmative action should continue until further notice but I personally think that girls should not depend on it so much. Girls going to university should measure up to the standards or levels set by the university without solely depending on the 1.5 extra points given to them.

It does not need government to add these extra points to make women to work hard. There are societal stereotypes, especially in the rural areas that make girls or women to be looked upon with sympathy and look like they are vulnerable yet they are capable of doing certain things.

Uganda Minister of Education Geraldine Namirembe Bitamazire

Before, girls would be exempted from attending classes or school because of their menstrual periods. This should not be a reason to be given special treatment. In my school days, we would go to class even in our periods and still end up excelling in class.

Some women, including myself, are proud of our achievements, yet we did not benefit from the affirmative action policy. I am what I am today because I worked hard to be where I am now on merit.

If women start looking for any soft landing in everything, they will not be promoting women emancipation that they have been fervently fighting for.”

Piro Santos Eruaga Member of Parliament, East Moyo, Engineer

I think that affirmative action is good for certain groups because they are vulnerable. At Parliament, we consider women, youth and the disabled. These groups are well represented in the House.

In Parliament, the disabled are authentically well represented, have a ministry under where they belong and also have a network throughout the country at the district levels. There is even a budget to cater for them.

The women are also well represented. Constitutionally, women are supposed to take 40% of the Cabinet seats. Then, a woman MP represents every district in Parliament. They are also given the roles of chairpersons and deputies of Parliamentary committees, which gives them the chance to prove themselves and favorably compete with the men.

The only time the women legislators have complained is when they were given fewer cabinet posts. But otherwise, they are satisfied with their stand in Parliament and participate fully in all activities in the House.

I think that some groups need affirmative action to be at par with the rest and it should continue being given to these groups.”

Bako Stella, Student at Uganda Christian University, Mukono

Affirmative action is a boost for us girls who have been looked down on as worthless. We are capable of achieving a lot but have not been given the chance to.

But I suggest that government extends this scheme to private universities also. It is kind of unfair for us because many girls are struggling to join universities but have lesser points to do their desired courses.

Government should also consider the disabled people. They need preferential treatment due to their state.

Alisemera Babiiha, Woman MP, Bundibugyo

Government has said on different occasions that it has prioritized gender issues but in action, the money allocated to the ministry of gender and social development is very little. If money is enough, then it is upon the ministry to sensitize the underprivileged gender so that they can access these services. Right now, there is a problem of school dropouts, especially the girls. With enough funds, there would be enough resources to start programs, which are geared towards empowering the girl child and women at large.

Jane Alisemera Babiiha

The district quota system is available but it needs to be beefed up by having the ministry of education being backed with resources to continue with the policy formulation through sensitization and supplementing the policies, which are already in place.

I encourage the 1.5 extra points scheme in place. Many of our girls especially in the rural areas are underprivileged. I wish these points would be given now under the district quota system so that that girl who has never seen a good blackboard, sat in a good classroom but managed to get principle passes also joins the university. This will surely empower more girls to come up and work hard to become better citizens of Uganda.

In Parliament, affirmative action has been evident but yet lacking. We were given fewer cabinet posts than we are supposed to have. Then, men fill all the big ministerial posts. Why cant a woman be the minister of finance? Do you think that a woman can fail in her duties as a finance minister? A woman will look at certain issues regardless of gender whereas a man will look at matters in a man’s perspective. This is bad. It is high time government thought about this issue and avoid gender sidelining.

Professor William Anokbonggo, MP Kwania

I believe that affirmative action is a good initiative for us all but it is not enough. The government should go further to ensure that the girl child is given an opportunity to achieve her aspirations in education, social life and health.

You see, cultural practices have hindered the development of the girls because they are thought to stay at home while the boys are let to go to school. Therefore, they really need the affirmative action to uplift them. It is my conviction to see girls use such opportunities to better themselves and compete favorably with the boys.

Orphans should also be considered for affirmative action. They are helpless and vulnerable therefore need to be assisted.

The disabled group has to definitely be considered for this. In fact they are well represented in parliament but still need to advocate for more. They are useful in our society and are a part of the development process too.

Musoke Edgar, graduate

This affirmative action is okay but it favors one gender only. At university, it is only the girls who benefit in most of these things. Girls are capable of making it to campus, even without the 1.5-point scheme at campus. It is just stereotypes that make society think that girls are incapable yet that is false.

I don’t believe that women are disadvantaged. Look at female ministers and members of Parliament. They have worked hard to be what they are today. It is just a matter of hard work and perseverance.

For groups to be considered, obviously the disabled should be thought of first. I think that they are the most needy of all groups. Then the rest can follow.

Ultimate Media