Published on 07/03/2025
Nearly a decade after President Museveni pledged to provide free sanitary pads to all school-going girls in Uganda, the government has officially backtracked on this commitment, citing economic constraints.
Gender Minister Betty Amongi made the announcement during a plenary sitting on March 6, 2025, in response to concerns raised by Brenda Nabukenya (Luwero DWR) regarding the lack of sanitary towels for incarcerated women.
“We examined the proposal for free sanitary pads against the available budget and found it untenable given the current economic conditions. However, I will present the issue of tax exemptions on sanitary products to Cabinet for discussion,” said Minister Amongi.
A Broken Promise
While campaigning in the Lango sub-region in 2015, President Museveni assured voters that his government would provide school-going girls with sanitary pads if re-elected. However, this promise has remained unfulfilled, leaving many girls struggling with menstrual hygiene.
MP Nabukenya highlighted the dire conditions faced by incarcerated women who lack access to sanitary towels. “Women in prison struggle during their menstrual periods. Many only receive sanitary towels when their families visit. The Ministry must ensure these women receive the necessary hygiene products,” she urged.
Impact on Education
The government’s decision comes at a time when the 2024 Auditor General’s report revealed that 64% of female students miss school due to a lack of sanitary pads, water, and proper disposal facilities. The report indicated that 64% of surveyed girls (138 out of 216) had been absent from class due to menstruation, primarily due to a lack of menstrual hygiene products and inadequate sanitation infrastructure in schools.
The audit further revealed that 46% of the 48 schools visited did not provide emergency pads or menstrual health support, leaving many female students without essential hygiene materials.
Additionally, the report highlighted limited parental involvement in menstrual hygiene management. Many parents fail to provide sufficient sanitary products and guidance, further contributing to high absenteeism rates among girls.
Government’s Gender Agenda
During the International Women’s Day debate, Minister Amongi announced plans to launch programs promoting positive masculinities and gender equality between 2026 and 2030. These initiatives will focus on mindset change, gender-responsive household approaches, and social protection programs for vulnerable groups.
“We need Parliament’s support to increase domestic financing for gender equality initiatives and reduce reliance on external funding, which is under threat due to global geopolitical shifts,” she stated.
Challenges Facing Women
Minister Amongi identified persistent poverty and discrimination as major obstacles for women in Uganda. “Approximately 20.3% of the population lives below the national poverty line, with female-headed households experiencing higher rates of multidimensional poverty at 50%, compared to 39% for male-headed households (UBOS 2022),” she noted.
Melsa Avako (Yumbe DWR) called for relaxed collateral requirements for women accessing government entrepreneurial funds. “Many women in rural areas, particularly in Muslim communities, do not own land, yet land ownership is a prerequisite for accessing financial support. This policy needs to be revised,” she argued.
Flavia Kabahenda (Kyegegwa DWR) urged the government to implement policies that reintegrate teenage mothers into the education system. “Child marriages and teenage pregnancies are on the rise. We need legislation that guarantees young mothers the right to return to school,” she emphasized.
Addressing Sexual Violence
Stella Atyang (Moroto DWR) condemned police officers who demand bribes from parents seeking justice for their daughters who are victims of sexual violence. “Many victims come from impoverished backgrounds and cannot afford to pay police officers. As a result, perpetrators go unpunished, and these girls remain vulnerable,” she lamented.
Opposition MPs also criticized the violence and restrictions they face when organizing Women’s Day events in their districts. Minister Amongi assured them that a Cabinet committee on human rights, led by Norbert Mao, would engage political parties and security agencies to ensure the protection of women’s political freedoms.
Despite mounting pressure from lawmakers and activists, the government has abandoned its promise to provide free sanitary pads. This decision threatens the education of thousands of girls and underscores broader gender inequalities in Uganda. As the debate on women’s rights continues, MPs are pushing for urgent reforms to ensure menstrual health, gender equality, and justice for vulnerable women
