Kampala — Women activists yesterday accused the NRM government of paying lip service on its commitment to protect women and children against violence and other forms of abuses.

Ms Nansurah Aheebwa, who coordinates the Uganda Women's Network (Uwonet) said President Museveni's government has failed to institute a legal framework to ensure the protection of women's rights. "The 20 years of this (NRM) government have not yielded enactment of any specific law to protect women," Ms Aheebwa said. She said civil society and other human rights activists continue to press the government for these laws yet it should have been the government to take the lead.

Speaking to reporters at the Uwonet head offices in Kampala, Ms Aheebwa cited the Domestic Relations Bill, the Domestic Violence Bill and the Trafficking in Humans Bill as laws requiring immediate attention from the government. "There is a glaring gap between the constitutional provisions and policies of government and the reality of many thousands of women in this country. The government should move from rhetoric to action and stop paying lip service to the needs of women," she added.

Uwonet is a network of national organisations and individuals in working through information sharing, communication and collective action on issues of common interest and concern to women. The network is preparing to celebrate the 16 Days of Activism Against Violence to women scheduled for November 25 to December 10 this year.

Ms Sheila Kawamara, who chairs the network, said the enactment of the necessary legislation would effectively eliminate all forms of violence against women and emphasise prosecution of the offenders. "Hardly a day passes without reading about the violence women and girls suffer in Uganda. Many have been killed, defiled and raped. All this happens in the face of government's watch," said Ms Aheebwa.