Uganda and many African countries are still lagging behind due to lack of women role models, an official from Uganda Association of Women Lawyers has said.

Ms Maria Karuhanga, a legal consultant with Fida-Uganda, said it was regrettable that men continue to hold important positions in society at the expense of their women counterparts who have been left to do insignificant jobs despite their capabilities.

"You have relegated the girls to dancing, singing at such occasions whereas the men get the monopoly of being the master of ceremony," Ms Karuhanga said on Monday during celebration of the Day of the African Child in Iganga.

She said is very rare to find a woman presiding over as master of ceremonies during public functions.