PART III CHALLENGES FACED BY UGANDA IN IMPLEMENTING THE CHARTER 1. The recent worldwide economic downturn affected Uganda’s efforts for growth in the social and economic spheres. 2. Funding of activities to implement the Charter is still limited for example the costs for development and harmonization of laws are very high and also the cost meeting some of the critical requirements for both the health and education sectors. 3. Uganda’s birth rate is still considerably high when compared to the slowing economic growth rates. 4. Both maternal and infant mortality rates are still unacceptably high especially due to insufficient medical facilities. 5. Continuous general civic education including voter education remains a challenge due to limited resources. 6. In spite of the high enrolment, retention rates especially for the girl child in school remain a challenge due to social, economic and cultural pressures. 7. Rising unemployment especially for the youth is a very big challenge. 8. Getting the civil society to fully partner with government to promote and safeguard human rights. Constructive cooperation between government and CSOs needs be encouraged. 9. Timely compensation for victims of violations 10. Back log of cases resulting in Justice delayed 11. Need for domestication of ratified instruments. 12. Corruption continues to be a challenge though a number of accused have been successfully prosecuted through IGG mechanism and Anti-Corruption court 13. Disaster response mechanism needs improvement. CONCLUSION In conclusion, the Government of the Republic of Uganda wishes to reiterate its earlier request made in 2010 that the Commission should consider presenting to the AU policy organs the proposal to revise the two year reporting period to 3 years since the 2 years has proved to be quite a very short reporting timeframe. Your Excellencies, Distinguished Commissioners, State delegates, Civil Society and National Human Rights Institutions, Ladies and Gentlemen On behalf of the Government of Uganda, my delegation and on my own behalf I wish to assure you of my country’s commitment and high regard for the Commission and its mandate. I further wish to extend our gratitude to His Excellency the President, the Government and people of the Gambia for your very warm hospitality since we arrived in your wonderful country. I thank you. 32