Uganda Parliamentary Forum for children (UPFC)

UGANDA PARLIAMENTARY FORUM FOR CHILDREN (UPFC)

THE ORGIN OF UPFC

The Uganda Parliamentary Forum for Children (UPFC) was initiated during the 7^th Parliament to create an avenue through which the status of Ugandan children, especially those in difficult circumstances could be addressed. Aware of the vantage position of MPs in public policy field, the UPFC is a platform where MPs from different political shades collectively lobby for the rights of children in situations of competing needs and priorities where children’s rights are often neglected.

OUR MEMBERSHIP

The membership of UPFC is open to all members of parliament, especially those with the conviction and commitment to promote the rights of children in all legislative and policy processes.

WHAT WE ARE

• We are non partisan body, guided by the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC) and national laws governing the protection and development of the rights of children.
• The welfare, development and protection of children in difficult situations are our primary interest.
• As legislators, mandated by the people, ensuring the national welfare of all Ugandan children is UPFC’s legitimate obligation.
• UPFC will utilize special opportunities available to its members to lobby in the interest of children on all major legislative and policy platforms.

THE VOICE UPFC REPRESENTS

UPFC is a lobby group. We are a voice for the silent majority-the children, who on the whole are 60% of our constituents. Our primary considerations are:

1. Refugee and internally displaced war affected children
2. Children in institutional care
3. Fostered/adopted children
4. Street children
5. Child headed households
6. Orphans in care of grandparents
7. Children in conflict with the law
8. Children with disabilities
9. Children experiencing abuse
10. Children affected by HIV/AIDS
11. Working children

OUR VISION, MISSION AND GOALS

UPFC’s vision is Uganda where children enjoy the right and fully exercise their potentials to realise their aspirations, promote their rights, and make meaningful contributions towards the creation of a country fit for children and adults.

Our mission is to promote the welfare, protection, development and participation of children in major political decisions through utilizing the vantage position of Members of Parliament in voicing the concerns of children in all legislative and policy decisions.

UPFC’S GOALS

Supper Goal: Policy and Legislation

1. Review legislations, initiate and examine bills in parliament in favor of children’s rights
2. Influenced decisions on resources allocation and prioritization in favor of children
3. Monitor effective implementation of policies and programs designed in favor of children
4. Influence priorities of local governments’ planning and re-sourcing in favor of children’s rights
5. Prevail on government to hold itself accountable to the implementation of Convention on the Rights of Children

Goal 2: Strengthen the fight against HIV/AIDS

1. Promote access to ARVs for children
2. Promote access to basic needs and rights/services for OVC – education, health and nutrition
3. Succession and property rights of the OVC
4. Adoption rights of the OVC

Goal 3: Influence attitudes and practices for realization of the rights of children

1. Role of parents and duty bearers in effective parenting, taking full account of the challenges of poverty, wars and unemployment they face
2. Behavioral Change Communication

Goal 4: Protect the rights and development needs of children in difficult situations

1. Security in IDP camps and displaced communities
2. Humanitarian response to displaced communities
3. Protection of children’s and human rights in armed conflicts
4. Legal protection of children in difficult situations
5. Access to education for IDP and refugee children
6. Humane treatment and handling of children in conflict with the law
7. Effective response and appropriate actions by parliament where necessary to issues affecting children

Goal 5: Institutional and organizational development of UPFC

1. UPFC membership development
2. Linkages to policy networks and institutions
3. UPFC’s operational and strategic management systems
4. UPFC strategic planning and operational guidelines
5. UPFC Annual targets, and action plans
6. UPFC planning, reviews, monitoring, reporting and evaluation systems
7. UPFC collaboration with other agencies, both governmental and NGO, mainly as a “catalyst” and enabler

WHY CHILDREN FIRST

A child is any person below the age of 18. Childhood is a formative stage when one depends on the care and protection of adults. In most societies, children neither vote nor are involved in the decision-making process of their families, communities or nations. Therefore, in situations of competing needs, or in emergencies, the welfare, protection and development needs of children may be neglected. Members of parliament, being the people’s elected representatives, have a duty to protect the interests of all in the community, including the voiceless children, who in developing countries like Uganda, constitute over 55% of the total national population.

WHY WE SPEAK FOR CHILDREN

Members of Parliament are well placed to help children

As Leaders,

MPs exercise influence over the people they lead, who look to them for information and guidance on important issues. This strengthens MP’s roles as advocates and mobilizers for children, especially on how families and communities can be sensitive to the needs of children. MPs can also mobilize resources for relief, welfare, protection and development projects targeting children.

As elected Officials,

MPs have the mandate of their constituents to bring about needed changes locally and nationally. This strengthens MPs’ role as change agents on behalf of children.

As Legislators,

MPs have the power and opportunity to put in place laws that ensure the welfare, protection and development of children.

As decision-makers in resource allocation,

Parliament has the constitutional power to appropriate national resources against a backlog of competing priorities. This gives MPs opportunity to see that the rights of voiceless children are not neglected in allocating national resources.

As overseers of national welfare and development.

Through the oversight function of Parliament, MPs keep the executive arm of government accountable on various programs and projects, including those focusing o child welfare, protection and development.

UPFC’s key contacts

P.O.Box 7178 Kampala

Tel: +256 - 414 – 377689

Email: upfc@parliament.go.ug

Website; www.upfcparliament.go.ug

Parliamentary Building - North Wing - Room B - 12

Parliamentary Avenue, Plot 16 - 18