Kampala,Uganda – Buhweju District Woman Member of Parliament, Hon. Annet Nnamara Oyes Byamukama, has been selected to represent the Ankole Sub-region on the Network of African Women Ministers and Parliamentarians – Uganda Chapter (NAWMP), under the Parliamentary Forum on Maternal and Child Health.
NAWMP-Uganda Chapter is a nonpartisan parliamentary caucus whose core advocacy mandate is Legislation, Budget Appropriation and Oversight of Women’s and Children’s Health. The Forum also follows up on Government commitments on health, particularly Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH).
Hon. Nnamara’s selection places her at the centre of national efforts to advance maternal and child health rights through Parliament.
*Her Roles and Mandate:*
Under the NAWMP framework, Hon. Nnamara will be tasked with three key programmatic roles:
1. Policy Input: Initiating legislation for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH), tabling amendments at committee level on MNCH issues, and ensuring Government commitments to international agreements on maternal health are ratified and implemented.
2. Resource Mobilization: Advocating for adequate and sustainable funding for MNCH in the annual national health budget, pushing for ring-fencing of allocated funds, and ensuring provision of essential medicines and equipment for maternal and child health services.
3. Awareness Creation: Giving political visibility to MNCH and Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) by making public statements, publishing articles, writing to decision-makers, and collaborating with stakeholders at key events such as the World Population Report launch and Safe Motherhood Days.
According to the Network, its strength lies in its deep understanding of women’s health experiences of deprivation, exclusion and vulnerability, and its dedication to placing those experiences at the centre of legislation, policy formulation, budget advocacy and oversight of Government programs.
The Network’s mission is to serve as a platform for legislation, representation, budget appropriation and oversight for Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Adolescent Health through critical analysis and strategic action. Its vision is a country that upholds maternal and child health rights and choices for all.
Hon. Nnamara, who has been vocal on health and community development in Buhweju, is expected to champion Ankole’s maternal health concerns at national level and ensure the sub-region’s unique challenges are reflected in parliamentary debates and budget priorities.
