The Government of Uganda's first National Gender Policy (NGP) was approved in 1997. The policy provided a legitimate point of reference for addressing gender inequalities at all levels of government and by all stakeholders. The major achievements of this policy include among others, increased awareness on gender as a development concern among policy makers and implementers at all levels; influencing national, sectoral and local government programmes to address gender issues; strengthened partnerships for the advancement of gender equality and women's empowerment and increased impetus in gender activism.
There are however, emerging development issues that have necessitated the revision of the policy. These include among others, government's emphasis on accelerating economic growth; poverty eradication; sector-wide approach to planning; effective service delivery through decentralization; privatisation; public- private-partnership and civil service reforms.
These emerging developments present new opportunities and challenges in pursuit of gender equality and women's empowerment. To this end, the policy has been designed to guide and direct at all levels of planning, resource allocation and implementation of development programmes with a gender perspective. The priority areas of focus are, improved livelihoods, promotion
and protection of rights, participation in decision-making and governance, recognition and promotion of gender in macro-economic management.