National Women’s Council Act

Section Interpretation Section In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires— " chairperson " means the chairperson of the National Women's Executive Committee; " council " means the National Women's Council established under section 2 ; " district ", "county", "subcounty", "division", "town", "parish", "ward" and "village" mean, respectively, "district", "county", "subcounty", "division", "town", "parish", "ward", and "village" within the meaning of the Local Governments Act; " Minister " means the Minister responsible for women in development; " women " means all females aged eighteen years and above; " women's committee " means a women's committee established under section 7 .

Section Establishment of the council Section There is established a council to be known as the National Women's Council. The council shall be a body corporate, shall have perpetual succession and a common seal and may sue or be sued in its corporate name. The council may, for and in connection with its objects and functions under this Act, purchase, hold, manage and dispose of any property, whether movable or immovable, and may enter into such contracts and other transactions as may be expedient and may do any other act or thing as in law may be done by a body corporate.

Section Objects and functions of the council Section The objects of the council are— For the attainment of its objects under subsection (1), the council shall have the following functions— to organise the women of Uganda in a unified body; and to engage the women in activities that are of benefit to them and the nation. to inspire and promote among the women a spirit of unity and national consciousness; to provide a unified and integrated system through which the women may communicate and coordinate their ideas and activities; to establish channels through which economic and social services and amenities may reach the women in all areas of Uganda; to encourage the women to consolidate their role in national development in the political, economic, social, cultural and educational fields; to promote relations with international women 's organisations with similar objectives or interests; to do all such other things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the objects of the council under this Act.

Section Composition of the council Section The council shall consist of— one representative from each district elected by the district women 's council ; two representatives of nongovernmental organisations determined by the National Women's Executive Committee which are involved in women 's affairs and which are registered under the Nongovernmental Organisations Act and recognised by the Minister ; two female student representatives elected by the Uganda National Students Association.

Section Establishment of women's councils Section There is established in each district the following women 's councils— village women 's councils; parish or ward women 's councils; subcounty, division, or town women 's councils; county women 's councils; district women 's councils.

Section Composition and hierarchy of women's councils Section A village women 's council shall consist of every woman resident in the village. A parish or ward women 's council shall consist of all the members of the village women 's committees in the parish or ward. A subcounty, division or town women 's council shall consist of all the members of the parish or ward women 's committees in the subcounty, division or town. A county women 's council shall consist of all members of the subcounty, division or town women 's committees in the county. A district women 's council shall consist of all members of the county women 's committees in the district and women 's representatives in Parliament.

Section Establishment and composition of women's committees Section There is established in respect of each women 's council , a women's committee , which shall consist of the following— a chairperson ; a vice chairperson ; a secretary; a publicity secretary; a secretary for finance; the women 's representative in Parliament in the case of the district women's committee . The members of a women's committee shall be elected by the members of a women 's council from among their number. A person shall not be a member of more than one women's committee . Where a person is elected to a higher women's committee , her office in the lower women's committee shall fall vacant, and another person shall be elected in her place.

Section National Women's Executive Committee Section The National Women's Executive Committee shall be elected by the members of the council from among their number and shall consist of— There shall be a National Women's Executive Committee which shall be responsible for managing the affairs of the council . a chairperson ; a vice chairperson ; a general secretary; a publicity secretary; a finance secretary; one of the two representatives of the nongovernmental organisations appointed under section 4 ; and one of the female student representatives elected under section 4 .

Section Appointment and tenure of office of the secretary Section The secretary shall be appointed by the Minister on the advice of the council . The secretary shall be appointed from among persons who are qualified in management or administrative matters. Subject to this Act, the secretary shall hold office on a full-time basis and on such terms and conditions as are specified in the instrument of appointment. The secretary may resign her office, by writing under her hand, addressed to the Minister through the council . The Minister may, on the advice of the council , remove the secretary from office for inability to perform the functions of her office as a result of infirmity of body or mind or for misbehaviour or for any other cause. In the case of removal from office of the secretary under this section on the ground of inability to perform the functions of her office as a result of misbehaviour or any other cause, the secretary shall, before removal, be given an opportunity to be heard on the allegations made against her. The secretary shall not be removed from office under this section on the ground of inability to perform the functions of her office as a result of infirmity o...

Section Functions of the secretary Section Subject to the general control of the council , the secretary shall— The secretary shall be the chief executive officer and also the accounting officer of the council . act as secretary at meetings of the council and record the minutes of the council at those meetings; be responsible for the implementation of the policy decisions of the council and for the day-to-day administration of the affairs of the council and control of the other staff of the council ; perform such other functions as may be assigned to her by the council . Where the office of the secretary is vacant or where the secretary is unable to perform the functions of her office by reason of illness, absence or other reason, the council may designate an officer of the council qualified in terms of section 10 to perform those functions until the vacancy in that office is filled or until the secretary is able again to perform those functions.

Section Other staff of the council Section The council shall employ such other staff as may be necessary for the proper and efficient discharge of the functions of the secretariat under this Act. The council shall regulate the manner of appointment, terms and conditions of service and the discipline of its staff appointed under this section. Public officers may be seconded to the service of the council or may otherwise give assistance to the council .

Section Remuneration of the secretary and other staff Section The council may pay to the secretary and other staff such remuneration and allowances as it deems fit and may grant pension or retirement benefits or gratuity to them at such rates as the Minister may, after consultation with the Minister responsible for finance, determine.

Section Secretariat Section The council shall have a secretariat to assist it in carrying out its objects and functions under this Act. The secretariat shall be composed of a secretary and other staff of the council .

Section Funds of the council Section The funds and resources of the council shall consist of— such sums from the Consolidated Fund as may, from time to time, be appropriated by Parliament for the purpose of the council ; any monies accruing to the council in the discharge of its functions under this Act; and grants, gifts or donations to the council . All income and monies of the council shall be deposited to the credit of the council in a bank approved by the Minister and shall not be withdrawn except with the approval of and in a manner determined by the council .

Section Borrowing powers Section The council may, with the prior approval of the Minister after consultation with the Minister responsible for finance, borrow by way of overdraft or otherwise from a banker or any other person, such sums as may be necessary for meeting the obligations of the council and for carrying out the objects and functions of the council . The council may, with the prior approval of the Minister for the purpose of any borrowing under subsection (1), charge any asset or property of the council with the repayment of any money so borrowed.

Section Estimates Section The council shall, within three months before the end of each financial year, cause to be prepared and submitted to the Minister for submission to the Minister responsible for finance for his or her approval estimates of the income and expenditure of the council for the next ensuing year. No expenditure shall be made out of the funds of the council unless the expenditure has been approved by the Minister .

Section Financial year of the council Section The financial year of the council shall be, in respect of any accounting period, the period of twelve months ending on the 30th June.

Section Accounts Section Subject to any directions given by the Minister responsible for finance, the council shall cause to be prepared in respect of each financial year, a statement of account which shall include a report on the performance of the council during the financial year comprising— The council shall keep proper books of account of all its income and expenditure and proper records in relation to them. a balance sheet, a statement of income and expenditure and a statement of surplus and deficit; and any other information in respect of the financial affairs of the council as the Minister responsible for finance may require.

Section Audit Section The accounts of the council shall, in respect of each financial year, be audited by the Auditor General or by an auditor appointed by him or her. The council shall ensure that within four months after the expiry of each financial year a statement of account described in section 18 is submitted to the Auditor General for auditing. The Auditor General and any auditor appointed by him or her shall have access to all books of account, vouchers and other financial records of the council and be entitled to have any information and explanation required by him or her in relation to them as the Auditor General may think fit. The Auditor General shall, within two months after receipt of the statement of account under subsection (2), audit the accounts and deliver to the council a copy of the audited accounts of the council together with his or her report on them stating any matter which in his or her opinion should be brought to the attention of the Minister . The Auditor General shall also deliver to the Minister a copy of the audited accounts together with his or her report on them.

Section Investment of surplus funds of the council Section Any funds of the council not immediately required for any purpose under this Act shall be invested in such manner as the council may, with the approval of the Minister , after consultation with the Minister responsible for finance determine.

Section Protection of members and staff from personal liability Section A member of the council or an employee of the council acting on its behalf shall not be personally liable for any act done by him or her in good faith for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this Act.

Section Annual reports Section The council shall, within three months after the end of each financial year, submit to the Minister a report on the activities of the council in respect of that financial year, and the report shall include its achievements during that financial year and its future plans.

Section Regulations Section The Minister may, after consultation with the council , by statutory instrument, make regulations for better carrying into effect the provisions of this Act.

Section Application and amendment of the Schedule Section The Schedule to this Act shall apply in relation to the seal of the council , tenure of office of the council , women 's councils and women 's committees and to any other matter set out in that Schedule. The Minister may, by statutory instrument, amend the Schedule to this Act.

Section Vesting of assets, liabilities and pending proceedings Section The Minister may, by statutory order, make provision for the vesting of assets, liabilities and pending proceedings falling under the National Council of Women Decree.