National Women’s Council Act

Defines key terms used in the Act, including "chairperson", "council", local government area terms (district, county, subcounty, division, town, parish, ward, village), "Minister", "women" (females aged eighteen years and above) and "women's committee".

Establishes the National Women's Council as a corporate body with perpetual succession and a common seal and grants it powers to sue, be sued, hold property, enter contracts and perform acts of a body corporate.

Defines the council's objects and lists functions including organising women of Uganda, engaging them in beneficial activities, promoting unity and national consciousness, providing unified communication and coordination systems, establishing channels for services and amenities, encouraging consolidation of women's roles in national development across political, economic, social, cultural and educational fields, promoting relations with international women's organisations, and doing incidental actions to attain its objects.

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 (involved in women’s affairs, registered under the Nongovernmental Organisations Act and recognised by the Minister); and two female student representatives elected by the Uganda National Students Association.

Establishes in each district a series of women's councils: village; parish or ward; subcounty, division, or town; county; and district women's councils.

The section defines the composition of women's councils at village, parish/ward, subcounty/division/town, county and district levels by stating which members make up each council.

Each women's council has a women's committee made up of specified officers; the committee's members are elected by the members of the women's council, a person may not serve on more than one women's committee, and election to a higher committee vacates the lower office and triggers a replacement.

The National Women's Executive Committee must be elected by council members from among themselves; it must consist of specified officers and representatives and is responsible for managing the council's affairs.

The Minister appoints the secretary on the advice of the council; the secretary holds office full-time on terms in the instrument of appointment; the secretary may resign; the Minister may remove the secretary for infirmity (with medical certification), misbehaviour or other cause, and before removal for misbehaviour or other cause the secretary must be given an opportunity to be heard.

The secretary is the council's chief executive and accounting officer, must act as secretary at meetings and record minutes, is responsible for implementing council policy and day-to-day administration and staff control, and must perform other functions assigned by the council; these duties are subject to the general control of the council. If the office is vacant or the secretary cannot act, the council may designate a qualified officer to perform the functions until the vacancy is filled or the secretary can resume.

The council must employ other staff necessary for the secretariat's functions; the council must regulate appointment, terms, conditions and discipline of those staff; public officers may be seconded or otherwise assist the council.

The council may pay remuneration and allowances to the secretary and other staff and may grant pensions, retirement benefits or gratuities; the Minister may determine the rates after consulting the Minister responsible for finance.

The council must have a secretariat to assist it with its objects and functions, and the secretariat must consist of a secretary and other council staff.

The funds and resources of the council consist of appropriations from the Consolidated Fund, monies accruing in the discharge of its functions, and grants, gifts or donations; all income and monies must be deposited in a bank approved by the Minister and not withdrawn except with the council's approval and in a manner it determines.

The council may, with prior ministerial approval (after consultation with the finance minister), borrow money and may charge its assets to repay loans.

The council must prepare and submit to the Minister, within three months before the end of each financial year, estimates of its income and expenditure for the next year for approval by the Minister responsible for finance.

The council's financial year is the twelve-month period ending on 30th June.

The council must prepare annual statements of account including a performance report and must keep proper books and records; these duties are subject to directions from the Minister responsible for finance, who may also require other financial information.

The Auditor General (or an auditor appointed by them) must audit the council's annual accounts; the council must submit its statement of account within four months after each financial year; the Auditor General has access to records and must audit and report within two months of receipt, delivering copies to the council and the Minister.

The council must invest any of its funds that are not immediately required under this Act.

Members of the council and council employees acting on its behalf are not personally liable for acts done in good faith to carry out this Act.

The council must submit an annual report to the Minister within three months after each financial year; the report must include achievements for that year and future plans.

The Minister may make regulations, after consultation with the council and by statutory instrument, to carry the Act's provisions into effect.

The Schedule applies to matters including the council seal, council tenure, women’s councils and committees; the Minister may amend the Schedule by statutory instrument.

The Minister may, by statutory order, make provision to vest assets, liabilities and pending proceedings that fall under the National Council of Women Decree.