Legislators and women rights’ activists have asked the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and Uganda Media Council to enforce professional code of ethics on all media houses in the country.
Members of the civil society said that some media houses need to avoid broadcasting or publishing content that negatively portrays women and erodes their dignity and that of their families.
The call was made in the wake of utterances by Pastor Aloysius Bugingo that his Teddy was suffering from incurable ailments.
“A case in point is seen in the recent case of Pastor Bugingo’s repeated negative utterances against his wife on social media channels that has continued to get to the public including children,” said Angella Asiimwe, the Program Officer Akina Mama waAfrika during a press conference held at Parliament Thursday, 18 July 2019.
Asiimwe and several leaders of civil society organizations
under the Domestic Violence Act Coalition joined MPs under Uganda Women
Parliamentary Association (UWOPA) to make a call to curb violence against women
and girls in the country.
Hon. Mbwatekamwa Gaffa (IND, Kasambya County) noted with
concern that UCC had exhibited selective deterrence of broadcast and publishing
of events that breach minimum broadcasting standards.
MPs called for an urgent consideration of the Marriage and
Divorce Bill, which they said would provide a potential solution to domestic
violence against spouses in marriages.
“We have laws on marriage and laws on divorce, so
Parliament sought to merge them in the Marriage and Divorce Bill. But the
aspect of bride pride in the bill took it a step back,” said Kamateeka.
The civil society members urged Parliament to prioritize the
passing of the bill that would define a dignified process of marriage and
divorce, with a call for continued public support.
“We recognize the considerable progress Uganda has made
in legislation to address violence of women. We commend the Ministry of Gender
for promoting the National Policy for Preventing Gender Based Violence, which
will make Uganda a safer place for women and girls if implemented,” said
Grace Nakirijja, the Programs officer Centre for Domestic Violence Prevention.
The Domestic Violence Act Coalition condemns demeaning sexist
behaviour towards women by their estranged intimate partners, to uphold their
dignity at all times.
