Income Gaps and Unspent Funds Flagged in Latest Equal Opportunities Commission Report

The Deputy Clerk of Parliament Henry Waiswa, on behalf of Speaker Anita Among, received the 10th and 11th Annual Reports on the state of Equal Opportunities in Uganda from the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC).

The Chairperson, Safia Nalule Juuko presented the reports providing a comprehensive analysis of Uganda’s progress and challenges in fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Speaker, through Waiswa, commended the EOC for its timely submissions, emphasizing that the findings will guide government policies and actions for national development. The reports highlighted Uganda’s positive strides in diversity compared to other East African countries but revealed persistent issues such as regional inequalities, income disparities, and high poverty rates.

Key findings included poverty disparities, education inequities, income gaps and access to justice among others. The report found that poverty remains a major challenge, especially in sub-regions like Karamoja, Lango, and West Nile with the Commission calling for budgetary affirmative action to address these disparities.

Also, UPE and USE schools, intended to provide free education, often charge hidden fees due to insufficient government funding, disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups.

Significant wage disparities was another factor found to exist in public service, with examples including science teachers earning much more than their arts counterparts despite similar qualifications. The EOC recommended salary harmonization to reduce tensions and promote equity.

It was also discovered that vulnerable groups face challenges accessing legal services due to limited courts, corruption, and high fees. The EOC proposed increasing rural legal aid and operationalizing dormant courts to improve justice accessibility.

The Commission also flagged inefficiencies in resource allocation, such as unspent public funds, and regional imbalances in energy access and scholarship distribution. To bridge these gaps, the EOC recommended affirmative policies and improved oversight mechanisms.

The Speaker assured Parliament’s support in addressing the highlighted issues and integrating the EOC’s recommendations into the government’s broader development framework