Ugandan MPs pass bill raising paternity leave days

The Ugandan parliament has passed a bill that increases paternity leave from four to seven days for male workers.

The MPs said they borrowed a leaf from Kenya that accords male working employees two weeks for paternity leave, New Vision reported.

…it is important that more time be accorded to male employees to help their spouses,” Flavia Kabahenda, the chairperson of parliament’s gender committee, said after the passage of the bill.

The MPs said the increase would give men more time to support their spouses

However, rejected a proposal to provide additional leave days from the current 60 days to 90 days for female employees who give birth to more than one child at the same time.

Rejecting the proposal, Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka described it as extreme for the employers.

The bill has been forwarded to President Yoweri Museveni, who the local media say he is likely to assent into law.