About Us

Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Social Protection

Our History

The idea of setting up the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Social Protection (UPFSP) was conceived in November 2011 when Members of Uganda’s Parliament made a study tour to South Africa and Lesotho funded by Expanding Social Protection Programme (ESP). This tour brought to light the need for creating an enabling legal, regulative and implementation framework for social protection in Uganda. On return to Uganda, the Members of Parliament (MPs) decided to convene a meeting that brought together MPs on key Committees of Parliament, and with assistance of a Consultant, sought support from ESP to have the Forum instituted. Later in January 2012, after a national MPs retreat at Kyankwazi, this proposal was discussed with over 50 MPs who accepted to be members and in the interim nominated Hon Flavia Rwabuhoro Kabahenda to be the Interim Chairperson to lead an Executive and steering Committee. On the 17th February 2012, a ground-breaking workshop was held and the Forum was formally constituted with over 60 MPs in attendance. The Forum was relaunched at the beginning of the 10th Parliament in 2016 and a new Executive Committee inaugurated chaired by Hon. Jacob Richards Opolot, the Member of Parliament for Pallisa County, Pallisa district.

UPFSP now boasts of a membership of 200 MPs, is a nongovernmental organization licensed by Uganda NGO Bureau. We are the current host of the Community of Practice for social protection and are at the same time the conveners of the annual National Dialogue for Social Protection in Uganda.

Vision & Mission

"A society where all vulnerable persons are secure, resilient and empowered to contribute to own and community's prosperity."

Mission Statement

“To advocate and promote the rights and empowerment of vulnerable persons in Uganda through effective stakeholder engagement and legislation”

Our Mandate

The mandate of the Forum is to:
- Advocate and engage government to implement their commitment to Social Protection as stipulated in the National Development Plans and Vision 2040 by appropriating resources;
- Review guidelines and provide specific oversight in the implementation of the relevant programs-including protecting beneficiary rights;
- Ensure that Social Protection issues are mainstreamed in all laws and policies;
- Make recommendations toward addressing gaps in the policy implementation;
- Actively engage with the MGLSD and all stakeholders in the development of Uganda's SP vision and policy;
- Mobilize members and MPs to rally around Social Protection issues such as increased financing and effective policy implementation;
- Engage with the media and spearhead campaigns to mobilize MPs and the general public on Social Protection issues;
- Forster coordination, mobilization and rally other CSOs and other stakeholders around social protection to maximize impact.