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Speech
10 November 2021
Remarks by UN Resident Coordinator at Partners Meeting on COVID-19
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Speech
29 October 2021
Speechy by UN Resident Coordinator at Commemoration of UN Day
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Speech
11 October 2021
Remarks on behalf of the UN system at the National Commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child
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The Sustainable Development Goals in Uganda
The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Uganda:
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22 October 2020
Join the Conversation. Be the Change.
To mark its 75th anniversary, the United Nations is launching a global conversation on the role of international cooperation in building the future we want.
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11 October 2020
UN Resident Coordinator gives hope to child abuse survivors
The UN Resident Coordinator in Uganda, Rosa Malango has given hope to dozens of victims of defilement and forced marriages in Amudat, southern Karamoja.
She encouraged the survivors to overcome traditional beliefs and culture by embracing education and ensuring they complete school and become future leaders. Malango said there were opportunities for the survivors to make a turnaround and take charge of their own future by staying in school and attaining higher levels of education.
She cited an example of her own education challenges in a society that viewed women as incapable of leading but she eluded all the traditions to become a family head as well as a clan head, apart from her international responsibility as the UN Resident Coordinator in Uganda, an international structure.
This was during an impromptu stop to the rescue centre at Alakas Girls Primary School in Amudat town council on Tuesday. Malango is currently in Karamoja on an official visit to monitor the various projects implemented by UN agencies in Karamoja.
At Alakas Girls Primary School currently turned into a children’s rescue centre, 26 girls have been rescued from early marriage following alerts from social workers and probation office of the district who have collaborated to rescue victims of child marriage from the community.
The girls are given psychosocial support and counselling before they are integrated into the formal education system while those who have never been to school are given skills such as hairdressing and tailoring.
Frida Amuron, the Amudat community based development officer said that there were a lot of unreported cases across the district notably in rural areas where information about the rights of a girl child was still scanty. She said all 26 girls were rescued during the recent COVID-19 lockdown after the closure of schools.
She encouraged partners to scale up sensitization of communities coupled with punitive punishment under the law.
The Amudat Chief Administrative Officer, Wasswa Masokoyi noted that strong cultural norms such as adoration for bride price has made a section of the Pokot to view girls as a source of wealth. He asked UN agencies to collaborate with the probation office, police and other government structures to mobilize the community against child abuse and support girl child education.
According to the UBOS report, Amudat has 26.1 percent enrollment which is one of the least in the country. The district has projected 33,000 school-going age children of whom an estimated 8,885 were in school before COVID-19 pandemic. Local authorities have attributed the low enrollment and low literacy levels of 5 percent to traditional views about the girl child.
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This article was published online by The Independent magazine of Uganda on 16 September 2020 based on report from Uganda Radio Network
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Press Release
06 October 2020
Prime Minister signs Joint Statement of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2021-2025
Kampala - The Prime Minister of Uganda, The Right. Honourable, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, signed the Joint Statement of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2021-2025.
The UN Resident Coordinator in Uganda, H.E. Ms. Rosa Malango signed on behalf of the United Nations System in Uganda, while the Chairperson of the National Planning Authority (NPA), Prof. Pamela Mbabazi signed on behalf of NPA.
Guided by the United Nations Uganda’s vision of contributing to a transformed inclusive Ugandan Society where people have improved quality of Life and Resilience for Sustainable Development, and building on the successes of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) 2016-2020, the UNSDCF2021-2025 aims to support the Government to accelerate development and social transformation across Uganda as outlined in Vision 2040 and the third National Development Plan (NDPIII).
“The signing of this cooperation framework is another welcome demonstration of the mutually beneficial relationship between the UN system in Uganda and the Government and people of Uganda,” Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda said. “We deeply value the role and contribution made by the UN system in promoting the development agenda of Uganda. We are committed to ensuring that this partnership grows from strength to strength” he added.
UN General Assembly Resolution 72/279 on the repositioning of the UN Development System, positions the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework as the single most important UN country planning instrument in support of the 2030 Agenda. The Joint Statement stipulates the Cooperation Framework accountability featuring the UN entities that will support the UNSDCF implementation, the UN Country Team configuration and key highlights of UN entities’ contributions to the UNSDCF.
The UNSDCF accountability and signing levels include: 1) The Joint Statement at ministerial and UN Country Team level signed by the Right Honourable Prime Minister, Chairperson of the National Planning Authority (NPA), UN Resident Coordinator and UN entities and, 2) The Cooperation Framework at State level signed by His Excellency the President on behalf of the
Republic of Uganda and the UN Secretary-General’s Representative – by the UN Resident Coordinator. These will be followed by the formulation of the annualized Joint Work Plans aligned to the Program Implementation Plans of NDPIII.
Prof. Pamela Mbabazi highlighted the synergies expected between NDP III and the UNSDCF noting that, “the two planning documents bring our work in line and therefore the synchronized start of their implementation will enhance synergies and coordination, transparency and efficiency in the delivery of the both government and UN activities”
“I would also like to commend the UN system for adopting a whole-of-UN-system approach to jointly supporting the Government of Uganda towards meeting NDPIII and SDGs targets. The effort and consideration put into ensuring that all the 31 UN agencies promote coherence and mutual accountability cannot go un-recognized. The motivation of delivering as one to achieve common results is also at the heart of the programming principles of the NDPIII,” she added.
“Today we are witnessing a critical milestone in the new partnership between the United Nations and the Government and people of Uganda. The Cooperation Framework reinforces the mutual accountability between the UN and the host Government by creating space for the Joint Statement of accountability at Ministerial and UN Country Team level which today will be signed by the Right Honourable Prime Minister, the Chairperson of the National Planning Authority (NPA), UN Resident Coordinator and UN entities. The Joint Statement provides information on the capabilities and contributions of UN entities as well as the UN Country Team configuration,” said Ms. Malango.
“I wish to re-affirm the UN’s commitment to working with all stakeholders in supporting the Government towards the achievement of NDP III and SDG targets, and promotion of regional integration, peace and security, by addressing Africa Union Agenda 2063 and East African Vision 2050,” said Ms. Malango.
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31 August 2021
Improving maternal and newborn quality of care in Uganda
Maternal death can have catastrophic consequences for the whole family. Deaths continue to be concentrated in the selected Maternal Newborn Health Quality of Care (MNH QoC) learning districts of Hoima, Kamuli, Kasese, Kiryandongo, Nwoya, and Sheema, where the lifetime risk of a woman dying from pregnancy-related causes is about 100 times higher than that of a woman in a high-income country.
In 2018, Uganda was selected to be among the 11 participating countries in the Global Maternal Newborn Health Quality of Care (MNH QoC) Network, a 5-year initiative. The other countries include Malawi, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Cote d'Ivoire, India, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Ghana, Sierra Leona, Uganda, and most recently Kenya.
The goals of the MNH QoC Network include reducing both facility-based maternal and newborn deaths by 50% and improving client satisfaction. Four strategic objectives were coined, and they include leadership, action, learning, and accountability. The network activities began in early 2017 but Uganda intensified its activities in January 2018 due to some leadership challenges, piloting in different regions of the country.
As a country’s response, in 2019 six learning districts including Hoima, Kamuli, Kasese, Kiryandongo, Nwoya, and Sheema were selected. The selection was based on a number of criteria including willingness to participate, good leadership, registration of high numbers of maternal deaths, and partner support.
Mindful of the critical role of leadership was critical, a Monitoring and Evaluation focal person at the Ministry of Health (MoH) from the Standards, Compliance, Accreditation, and Patient Protection (SCAPP) was appointed by top MoH leadership to support the adaptation of the Common Core Indicators for monitoring the MNH QoC Network activities. In addition, a National Roadmap was drawn and shared among the stakeholders. Both the Makerere University School of Public Health and the Private Midwives Association team conducted the baseline at an interval of 2 years after polishing the MNH QoC data collecting tools. The latter team also conducted the community dialogues within the respective participating 18 learning health facilities.
The Ministry, using Global Facility Financing (World Bank Funding Mechanism to support RMNCAH), through its Uganda Reproductive Maternal and Child Improvement Project (URMCHIP), facilitated training of 65 Trainers of Trainees (TOT) and over 400 frontline providers in the Point of Care Quality Improvement methodology, which was adapted from the World Health Organization SEARO Region and customized for use in Uganda.
Also, using additional funding from the same source, mentorships of health workers were conducted at the participating 18 health facilities, three in each of the selected districts.
Health facility-based frontline providers enhanced their skills to identify MNH QoC performance gaps, used Quality Improvement (QI) tools to analyze and prioritized those gaps, and developed aim statements, and started quality improvement projects, which the health facility teams documented in paper-based MoH documentation journal. There is also ongoing efforts to improve the experience of care through exit interviews with beneficiaries and their care-takers.
Among the best practices, providers emphasize the use of partograph to monitor mothers in active labor and are making efforts to reduce the decision to incision time for the Ceaserian Section to less than 60 minutes.
As a result, slight reductions in maternal deaths, fresh and macerated stillbirths have been registered. However, across the six districts, registered an increase in neonatal deaths with the main attribute being late arrivals associated with birth asphyxia.
The country MNH QoC Network developed recommendations to improve implementation in the selected districts and beyond. Among these, is the need for feedback to program implementers in a timely way so that the maximum possible use of data is made for course correction. Results must also be shared widely, particularly with decision and policymakers who can make policy and program changes to improve health services for women and children.
Community participation in analyzing information and in identifying possible solutions will promote ownership, address social determinants, meet community needs and incorporate a range of actors in the response.
Collaboration among community members and service providers to jointly define and improve quality can be an effective approach when a supportive dialogue process is facilitated well and involves and considers the perspectives of all diverse participants.
It will be important to Institute Quality-improvement structures to support ongoing collaboration among communities and service providers. It will be excellent when all members understand and are committed to the purpose of the group. But this will require continuous clarity on the roles and responsibilities and acceptability to all members and group governance practices support participation.
Joint assessment of health services and care is helpful to support informed decision-making. Ongoing monitoring of data helps to inform adaptation of strategies as necessary for continual improvement and accountability.
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03 June 2021
Vaccinating against COVID-19 in Uganda’s hard to reach highlands
To access Butanda Health Centre III in Kabale District in western Uganda, one must traverse several Kigezi hills, covering 50kms.
On 27 April 2021, a team from the Ministry of Health and UNICEF visited the health centre to assess the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines. By 11:00 a.m., over 40 elderly men and women were seated at the facility patiently waiting to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The In- Charge Butanda Health Centre Geoffrey Nkurunziza was sensitizing them about the vaccination process and required consent.
All the people who came to be vaccinated had a document to identify them – a national identity card or voter’s card and they were wearing masks, labelled GoU (Government of Uganda).
“We started vaccination two weeks and started off with health workers, the elderly and security people. The turn up is good and we have so far vaccinated about 100 people. By the end of today (27 April 2021), we will have vaccinated 500 people. Most of the people came wearing masks and they washed their hands without being reminded,” Nkurunziza explained.
The Ministry of Health on 10 March 2021 rolled out a countrywide vaccination exercise, following receipt of 864,000 doses of AstraVeneca vaccine from the COVAX facility which comprises of GAVI, WHO, CEPI and UNICEF. Uganda also received a donation of 100,000 doses of AstraVeneca vaccine from the Government of India.
At Butanda, Winnie Ntegyereze mentioned that she is suffering from another illness and inquired whether she can go ahead to be vaccinated.
Everina Ndimutuna notes that her son who lives in Kampala encouraged her to get the vaccine. “I have been provided with adequate information about this vaccine and my son told me it is important that I take it. That is why I am here,” Ndimutuna says with a smile.
An interesting and relevant question was asked by Suruma Laban who wanted to know whether someone vaccinated can continue drinking alcohol. Suruma was reassured that there is no concrete evidence regarding alcohol and COVID-19 vaccination. He was however advised to always ensure that he drinks limited alcohol as too much of its consumption could turn into a health risk.
The Local Council III Chairman of Ndora West Butanda Sub County, Besigye John Kabengye, hailed government for providing its citizens with the much-needed vaccines, noting that people in hard to reach areas line Butanda have benefited.
He explains that even though there has been some on-going misinformation, his electorates have been sensitized by the government and the response to the uptake is good. Kabale District authorities and political leaders have been engaging religious leaders of different faiths and village health teams to educate the community about the importance of vaccination against COVID-19.
Kabale District Sub District In-Charge Edward Arinaitwe Bwengye who lead the mission to visit Butanda Health Centre noted that the health workers are committed to serve the population in all related health services.
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20 December 2020
Youth hold flash mobs to promote SDGs in Uganda
The National SDG Secretariat and the Youth Coalition for SDGs organised nationwide flash mobs on 14th and 15th December 2020 in seven locations in Kampala, the capital city, as well as in other cities Mbale, Gulu and Moroto.
The flash mob initiative, which was composed of groups of youth that converged at different locations performing a dance routine, was organised within continued and collective efforts to raise awareness about the Sustainable Development Goals and to inspire the local communities across the country to take action for SDGs under the theme Transforming Uganda – The Role of Individuals and Communities in Implementing the SDGs, Leaving No One Behind, for a Better Life.
The flash mobs in Kampala were shown live on Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) Television and received a wide coverage from social media including live on the twitter handle of the SDG Secretariat @SDGs_ug and through the youth in all the locations posting flash mob videos under the hashtag #SDGsUGFlashMob.
The activities were part of SDG advocacy supported by the Youth Coalition for SDGs. The Youth Coalition for SDGs, comprised of over 20 youth organisations, was formed during preparation for the UN and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Awareness Month held in October 2019. The youth organisations actively involved in contributing to achieving the SDGs were brought together under the auspices of the National SDG Secretariat within the Office of the Prime Minister with support from the UN Resident Coordinator in mentoring members of the Youth Coalition for SDGs.
Among various UN programmes and initiatives engaging youth, young people hold debates in schools under the umbrella of several organisations, including Open Space and Youth Coalition for SDGs. The youth share their SDG-related innovations for support and mentorship by development partners. Young people were actively involved in the consultations during preparation of the Second Voluntary National Review Report on the Implementation of The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Youth participated in the formulation of the UN Emergency Appeal for Covid-19 response and its impacts in Uganda, some of the national Youth NGOs became co-leads of the appeal thematic working groups.
Among the flagship initiatives rolled-out this year under the auspices of UN’s 75th Anniversary is the ‘One Million SDG Solutions from Youth in Uganda Innovation Challenge’ which aims to identify and mobilise Ugandan youth to present one million solutions which are changing lives. The best innovations receive start-up support and grants from the UN agencies and partners in the private sector. For more information, please visit www.ugandayouthsolutions.com
Speaking on behalf of the UN system in Uganda at the media briefing after the flash mobs in Kampala, UNFPA Representative Alain Sibenaler noted that Uganda has the second youngest population in the world, with 70% of the population is aged below 30 years of age. Youth in Uganda can offer many advantages for the country if well harnessed. He thanked the SDG Secretariat and Youth Coalition for the initiative promoting SDGs and he called on the media to actively engage in promoting awareness about the SDGs in Uganda as critical players in covering important topics and educating the public about the need for action.
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11 October 2020
Peace actors call for inclusion of women and youth In peacebuilding efforts
As part of the commemoration of the 2020 International Day of Peace on September 21, UN Women organized a media dialogue under the theme “Shaping Peace Together”. The media dialogue broadcast live on NBS Television included panelists from different sectors including government ministries, departments, agencies, UN, women led organizations and civil society.
While opening the dialogue, Ms. Adekemi Ndieli, the deputy country representative UN Women Uganda observed that while Uganda is relatively peaceful, there are incidents of human rights violations that often lay the foundation for future conflicts when unaddressed, which calls for joint efforts to prevent escalation of violence.
Uganda has had a history of conflict and violence since attaining independence in 1962. While there has been relative peace in the last decade, violent conflicts still continue to affect some parts of the country, and the underlying causes of past conflicts remain unresolved. With Uganda preparing to hold general elections in 2021, the need to dialogue on peace and conflict prevention is paramount since elections in Uganda often lead to anxiety, tensions and violence before, during and after the elections.
The deputy chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission, Hajjat Aisha Lubega noted that without peace in the electoral cycle, we cannot have a successful election. She further stated that as a commission they are encouraging women to be part of the electoral tribunals and polling agents to reduce cases of violence. Women constitute 52% of the registered voters in Uganda, and their involvement in the electoral process is vital to a successful election.
The call for a peaceful election was further re-echoed by Commissioner Mike Mabonga from Ministry of Défense and Veteran Affairs noting that “we all have to harness the efforts of everybody to ensure that we jealously guard the peace that we have now and, in the future,”.
Ms. Racheal Wanyana, the Policy and Advocacy Lead at Uganda Womens’ Network (UWONET) sounded the “need for young people to be treated as a critical force in building lasting peace not as perpetrators of violence”. She further noted that youth participation should not be limited to representation but should examine and recognize what they are doing in peace building.
Ms. Hellen Onzie Nwoha called on all actors not to “wait for conflicts to occur to build peace but rather support building of early warning systems to identify early signs of conflict so that violence can be averted. Some of these systems include the Women Situation Room that monitors early signs of violence before, during and after elections to ensure that the situation does not escalate into violence.
Despite efforts by different actors to eliminate all forms of violence especially against women and girls in Uganda, cases of violence especially gender-based violence are still high. This was acknowledged by the Commissioner for Gender and Women Affairs at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development Ms. Angela Nakafero, who noted that bringing women’s role in peacebuilding is critical. This effort has however been impacted by financing challenges around implementation of the National Action Plan I and II whose focus was improving peace and security.
The UN Women Deputy Country Representative Ms. Adekemi Ndieli called for dedicated resources for Women, Peace and Security especially for civil society advocates in this area, addressing of institutionalized discrimination and gender bias, resistance and attitudinal barriers which hinder women’s meaningful participation in peace building.
The International Day of Peace is celebrated every year on 21st September. For 2020, the UN General Assembly declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire.
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11 October 2020
IOM returns 113 stranded Ugandan women from Saudi Arabia
On 15 September 2020, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) supported the return home of 113 female Ugandan migrant workers stranded in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia due to the COVID-19-induced economic downturn and travel restrictions.
This movement, aboard an IOM-chartered flight, was achieved in partnership with the governments of Saudi Arabia and Uganda, and a result of the coordination efforts of United Nations Resident Coordinator Rosa Malango
With support from the IOM Regional Office in Nairobi, IOM missions in Uganda and Bahrain worked closely with Ugandan authorities and embassy representatives in Riyadh on the identification and screening of 229 Ugandan nationals in Saudi Arabia. IOM assistance eventually went to the 113 most vulnerable migrant women, who had no other means to return to Uganda and had tested free of COVID-19.
Tens of thousands of Ugandans are working abroad, especially in the Middle East. Most are employed as either domestic workers or security guards, contributing significantly to the livelihoods of their families back home. Many have been deeply affected by the far-reaching socio-economic impact of COVID-19. Some of the returnees had medical conditions; others said they had gone months without pay.
Commenting on the evacuation flight, IOM Uganda Chief of Mission Sanusi Tejan Savage said every effort had been made to ensure that return of the stranded Ugandans did not endanger the country’s fight against COVID-19. “All the travelling, migrants were tested for COVID-19 prior to their departure from Riyadh and upon their arrival in Uganda,” Savage said. “They also received sanitation kits, including face masks, and other necessities as they were taken into quarantine centres.”
According to a United Nations study of the socio-economic impact of COVID-19, remittances from Ugandans working abroad contribute approximately 4.5 percent to Uganda’s Gross Domestic Product, placing it above the Sub-Saharan Africa average of 2.8 percent. While welcoming the voluntary return initiative, UN Uganda Resident Coordinator Rosa Malango warned that the country’s remittances were bound to fall, drastically affecting household incomes among both the rural and urban poor.
“As these people return home,” Malango said, “they and their dependents are adding to a bigger community of individuals who are becoming increasingly vulnerable to poverty and will need special interventions.”
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Press Release
21 April 2021
Japan contributes US$ 9.8 million to support efforts towards refugees and host communities, border security as well as COVID-19 response in Uganda
KAMPALA, The Government of Japan in March committed approximately US$ 9.8 million to support refugees and host communities as well as border security, with a strong focus on mitigating the COVID-19 impacts, over a period of one year from April 2021 to March 2022.
The support has been channeled through the United Nations and International Organizations: the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the empowerment of Women (UN Women), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
“Japan recognizes that the humanitarian situation in refugee-hosting areas is devastating, especially under the spread of the COVID-19. Therefore, the 2021’s contribution has been made with a specific focus on mitigating the impacts of the COVID-19 to the vulnerable population, including refugees, host community members, women and children in Uganda. Acknowledging Uganda’s generous progressive refugee policy and needs for humanitarian–development supports, the Government of Japan is determined to continue to support Uganda’s solidarity with refugees and host communities,” said Ambassador Fukuzawa.
Honourable Hilary Onek, Minister of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, who attended the press conference said, “On behalf of the Government of Uganda I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Government of Japan through the Ambassador of Japan in Uganda for the generosity exhibited towards the refugee community.The Government of Uganda commends the Government of Japan for their tireless efforts and support to Uganda, indeed Japan will always remain a true partner to Uganda. I am here to emphasize to the world Uganda’s generosity despite the scarcity of resources and to retaliate Uganda’s open door policy. Uganda, as a country, holds a special place on the world stage when it comes to refugees. ”
Speaking on behalf of the UN system in Uganda, H.E. Rosa Malango, the UN Resident Coordinator, said, “I would like to applaud the government and people of Japan for this valuable contribution to the global efforts in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic as well as to the advancement of the human security in Uganda.”
Present at the press conference were representatives of the involved UN agencies: Mr. Joel Boutroue (UNHCR Uganda Representative); Mr. Alain Sibenaler (UNFPA Uganda Representative); Dr. Munir Safieldin (UNICEF Uganda Representative); Ms. Sheila Ngatia (UNDP Uganda Deputy Resident Representative); Ms. Adekemi Ndieli (UN Women Uganda Deputy Country Representative); Mr. Robert Ackatia-Armah (WFP Uganda Head of Food Systems & Nutrition); Mr. Olivier Balagizi (IOM Uganda IBM Project Officer); and Mr. Jason Yauney (IFPRI Uganda, Country Representative).
The assistance has been provided to help meet the objectives the Global Compact on Refugees (GRC) through the implementation of the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) in Uganda, a whole-of-society approach which, under the Government’s leadership, rallies support among a wide range of stakeholders including UN agencies, International Financial Institutions, development and humanitarian partners and the private sector to improve delivery of services for refugees and the communities hosting them.
Uganda is the largest refugee hosting country in Africa with more than 1.45 million refugees and asylum-seekers, including 83 percent women and children. Majority of the refugees and asylum seekers in Uganda originate from South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi. Uganda’s refugee laws and policies are among the most progressive in the world. Refugees and asylum seekers are entitled to work, have freedom of movement and can access social services.
UNHCR Has received US$2,500,000 towards the provision of minimum health care package in Bidibidi refugee settlement, protection services in several settlements in northern Uganda and promotion of livelihood opportunities for refugee and host communities through UNHCR-JICA cooperation on rice promotion in Rwamwanja, Rhino Camp and Adjumani settlements. The project is implemented within the context of the CRRF. The fund specifically supports the continuation and expansion of UNHCR-JICA cooperation on rice promotion and farming for refugees and their hosts; access to primary health care for over 232,000 refugee and host communities in Bidibidi as well as preparedness and response for outbreak of epidemics; community-based protection interventions to improve prevention and response to gender-based violence, child protection and mental health and psychosocial support.
UNFPA Has received US $1,515,918 to increase availability and utilization of integrated sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and gender based violence (GBV) services among refugees and host communities in target refugee hosting districts in South-Western and Northern Uganda during the COVID-19 pandemic. UNFPA will support the strengthening of the functionality of Health Centers IVs in refugee hosting districts and support community demand creation to reduce maternal mortality among refugees and host communities. In addition, survivors of GBV will be provided with preventive prophylaxis, treatment and referrals for psychosocial support and information, and community mechanisms for early identification of SGBV victims, referral pathways and psychosocial support systems will be strengthened. The refugee response part of the project will be implemented in the refugee hosting districts of Isingiro, Kamwenge, Kyegegwa, Kikuube and Lamwo.
UN Women Has received US $ 1,154,817 to empower over 4,000 women and girl refugees and hosts (direct) and 8,000 (indirect) to mitigate the impact of multiple crises on their livelihoods, protect themselves from exposure to gender-based violence, and participate in decision-making processes within their communities in 3 refugee hosting districts of Adjumani, Yumbe and Terego. The proposed project builds on UN Women’s experience and achievement in promoting the resilience, self-reliance, leadership, and protection of refugee women achieved in the last four years in Uganda’s refugee hosting districts. Key strategies will involve support to women farmers to engage in Climate Smart Agriculture; women and youth increased access to second chance education livelihood initiatives; access to ICT facilities and equipment, digitalised Village Savings and Loan Associations and cash for work opportunities. Transformational leadership skills, legal aid, psychosocial support as well as positive gender norms will be promoted in support of women's leadership and protection from violence.
UNICEF Has received US$1,146,981 for emergency assistance for the prevention of further spread of COVID-19 Infection. With the funds received, UNICEF will play a key role in the COVID-19 health response, including risk communication action in 3 refugee hosting districts and the COVID-19 high-risk districts of Karamoja sub-region including: Isingiro, Kikuube, Kyegegwa, Abim, Amudat, Kaabong, Karenga, Napak, Nabilatuk, Nakapiripirit, Moroto and Kotido. In addition, UNICEF aims to improve the nutrition status of children and mothers in the districts of: Abim, Amudat, Kaabong, Karenga, Napak, Nabilatuk, Nakapiripirit, Moroto and Kotido. UNICEF will also undertake key WASH interventions in Kikuube and Kamwenge Districts. Finally, UNICEF will support emergency preparedness and response capacity building of Disaster Management committees in Koboko, Obongi, Kasese, Bundibugyo, Karenga, and Nakapiripirit districts.
WFP Has received US$1,000,000 to introduce a programme that will improve access to nutritious food among refugees and Ugandans in host communities. WFP will provide fresh-food vouchers to cover critical food needs of pregnant and nursing women and children aged 6-23 months while promoting social behavioural change. In addition, the organization will provide seed vouchers to promote the production of fast-maturing nutritious foods. WFP will stimulate demand for nutritious foods while causing households to produce and consume more high-value crops throughout the value chain.
UNDP Has received US$880,000 to support and mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on household food security and environmental restoration. This proposed project will bridge the Humanitarian-Development-Peace nexus by providing green livelihoods options for resilience-building for refugees and host communities with a focus on women and youth. This will include vocational skills-building, MSME development and access to finance, clean energy solutions to provide energy access to health facilities to selected refugee hosting districts, while providing peace education for peaceful co-existence between refugee and host communities.
IOM Has received US$ 375,000 to contribute to strengthening border management to mitigate risk of terrorism from land and maritime borders in the context of COVID-19 in Uganda. IOM is working with the Ministry of Internal Affairs through the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control (DCIC), and other relevant partners, to improve capacity and preparedness of border management agencies to identify and respond to terrorist groups at ports of entry through provision of specialized trainings and development of inter-agency data sharing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), as well as enhancement of critical infrastructure against terrorist attacks by the provision of maritime security counterterrorism response equipment to DCIC.
IFPRI Has received US$1,224,290 to vitalize rural livelihoods in the northern region that is hosting a large influx of refugees by introducing a program, SHEP promoted by Japan, that aims to improve the market profitability of horticulture and thus increase incomes and employment for small farmers. In collaboration with Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA), the intervention adopts an innovative method of training local farmers under the concept of “produce strategically to sell.” The project will contribute to stabilizing and boosting farm incomes in vulnerable, refugee-hosting communities and will build resilience of local livelihoods to COVID-19.
For more information please contact:
Embassy of Japan in Uganda
Office of the Prime Minister
Mizuki Watanabe
Pheona Bukaayi
Coordinator for Economic Cooperation
Personal Assistant to the Minister
Tel: +256 788 283 561
Tel: +256 787 687 746
Email: mizuki.watanabe-2@mofa.go.jp
Email : bukaayiphoeona@gmail.com
UN Resident Coordinator Office
UNDP Uganda
Michael Wangusa
Michael Mubangizi
Communication Officer
Communications Analyst
Tel: + 256 771 005 988
Tel: +256 772 147 564
Email: michael.wangusa@un.org
Email : michael.mubangizi@undp.org
IOM Uganda
UNHCR Uganda
Richard M Kavuma
Rocco Nuri
Public Information Officer
Senior External Relations Officer
Tel: +256 772 709 917
Tel: +256 775 827 388
Email : rmkavuma@iom.int
Email: nuri@unhcr.org
UNICEF Uganda
UNFPA Uganda
Catherine Ntabadde
Prossy Jonker Nakanjako
Communication Specialist
Communications Specialist
Tel: +256 772 147 111
Tel: +256 417 744 540
Email : cntabadde@unicef.org
Email: nakanjako@unfpa.org
UN Women Uganda
WFP Uganda
Claire Hawkins
Lydia Wamala
Program Specialist, Women, Peace, Security
Title: Communications Officer
and Humanitarian Action
Tel: +256 772 287 034
Tel: +256 785289292
Email: lydia.wamala@wfp.org
Email: claire.hawkins@unwomen.org
IFPRI Uganda
Jason Yauney
Country Representative/Head of Office
Tel: +256 772 328 045
Email: j.yauney@cgiar.org
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Press Release
18 March 2021
United Nations Uganda and Equity Bank Uganda establish new partnerships for acceleration of attainment of the SDGs
The United Nations system in Uganda and Equity Bank Uganda have established new partnerships for acceleration of the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the country.
The new partnership will promote social inclusion and improve economic outcomes for human development as well as contribute to the social economic transformation of Uganda. Additionally, the UN-Equity Bank Joint Programme on “Enhancing Social Impact through SDGs” will focus on Financial Inclusion, Innovation and Shared Prosperity; and Institutional Partnerships, Governance and Shared Leadership.
The collaboration commenced at a meeting between the leadership of the UN system in Uganda led by UN Resident Coordinator and Designated Official for Security H.E. Rosa Malango and the leadership of Equity Group Uganda, Equity Group Foundation, and Equity Group Holdngs led by Equity Group MD and CEO Dr. James Mwangi.
Equity Group Holdings Plc whose purpose is to transform lives, give dignity and expand opportunities for wealth creation continues to play a leading role in contributing to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda on the Sustainable Development Goals. Through its regional banking subsidiaries Equity is already collaborating with UN agencies in Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and in other footprint countries and aims to enhance this partnership in new areas to contribute to the acceleration of the achievement of the SDGs.
Commenting during the signing of the partnership, Dr. James Mwangi said, “As Equity Group we are committed to not only grow with our customers but also to empower them socially and economically by availing opportunities and solutions that cater for their diverse needs. As a Pan-African bank whose purpose is to transform lives and livelihoods, we are excited to scale up our initiatives in partnership with the UN by supporting the growth and recovery of MSMEs during and post the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting women and youth entrepreneurs to scale their skills and businesses and by providing financial inclusion for the most vulnerable populations including the refugee communities.”
The United Nations system in Uganda is comprised of 29 entities that are implementing the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF, 2021 – 2025) focusing on transformative and inclusive governance; shared prosperity in a healthy environment; and human well-being and resilience, in support of the third National Development Plan (NDP III), Vision 2040, the East African Vision 2050, African Union Vision 2063 and the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.
The SDGs, adopted in 2015 by all United Nations member states of the UN General Assembly, were designed to be a "blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all". They are intended to be achieved by the year 2030. The SDGs have the ambitious goal to guide the sustainable development of the planet, embracing its economic, social, and environmental dimensions, in a balanced way to spearhead societies towards a sustainable and equitable future.
“While the UN remains steadfast in supporting Uganda’s development aspirations especially during these unprecedented times of the COVID-19 pandemic, the needs are still enormous and call for strengthened partnership with other actors,” said Ms. Malango. “I welcome Equity Uganda’s commitment to join efforts with the United Nations in providing solutions to critical challenges, including inclusive financing for youth and women led Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and unlocking the potential of digital technologies to support Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.”
About United Nations Uganda
The United Nations Uganda Vision 2030 is ‘A Transformed inclusive Ugandan Society where People have Improved Quality of Life and Resilience for Sustainable Development. This vision is attained through implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF 2021-2025). Focusing on three Strategic Priorities: 1) Transformative and Inclusive Governance, 2) Shared Prosperity in a Healthy Environment, and 3) Human Well-being and Resilience. The Cooperation Framework is implemented by the Heads of UN in entities investing in Uganda supported by over 3,000 UN personnel.
The Cooperation Framework provides a platform for mutual accountability for the implementation of SDGs in Uganda as a pathway to bring the national vision of becoming a prosperous & modern society to life. The UN in Uganda has several joint initiatives to promote innovation, inclusiveness, climate action, creating enabling policy framework and establish strategic partnerships with the people and partners of Uganda. The UN Emergency Appeal for COVID19 and its implications; the UN socio-economic analysis; Fast Track initiative on HIV/AIDS; and the upcoming 1 Million SDG Solutions by Youth in Uganda Innovation Challenge are a few examples. There are over 3000 UN personnel in Uganda in 4 regional hubs, with 25 district presences, nationwide coverage.
Website Links
https://uganda.un.org/
About Equity Bank Uganda
Equity Bank Uganda began its operations in 2008 and is registered as a commercial bank through the Bank of Uganda. The Bank has its Head Office located in Kampala, with a network of 44 branches, 4,277 Equiduuka agents, 5,845 merchants and 46 ATMs spread across the country and serving over one million customers.
Equity Bank Uganda is a wholly owned subsidiary of Equity Group Holdings Plc, a financial services company listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange, Uganda Securities Exchange, and Rwanda Stock Exchange. In addition to Equity Bank Uganda, the Group has banking subsidiaries in, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, DRC, South Sudan, and a Commercial Representative Office in Ethiopia; with additional non-banking subsidiaries engaged in the provision of investment banking, custodial, insurance agency, philanthropy, consulting, and infrastructure services.
Equity Group Holdings (EGHL) is a Pan-African financial services holding company listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange, Uganda Securities Exchange, and Rwanda Stock Exchange. The organization is Kenya’s first trillion-shilling balance sheet bank. The Group has banking subsidiaries in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and DRC and a representative office in Ethiopia. It has other subsidiaries in investment banking, insurance, telecom, fintech and social impact investments. Equity Group has an asset base of over USD $10 billion. With over 14.2 million customers, the Group is one of the biggest banks in customer base in the region. Since 2008, the Group’s corporate foundation, Equity Group Foundation (EGF), has delivered humanitarian programs in Education and Leadership, Food and Agriculture, Social Protection, Health, Energy and the Environment, Enterprise Development and Financial Inclusion to millions of Africans. EGF has a networked health care provider, Equity Afia which has been supporting COVID-19 relief efforts.
Website Links
https://equitygroupholdings.com/ug/
https://equitygroupfoundation.com/
For further information, please contact: -
Michael Wangusa
United Nations Uganda
T: 0771005988
E: michael.wangusa@un.org
Camilla Mindru
Equity Uganda
T: 0774 582 961
E: Camilla.Mindru@equitybank.co.ug
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Press Release
07 March 2021
West Nile embraces Agri-LED approach to Sustainable Development
West Nile political, civil society and private sector leaders yesterday embraced the Agri-LED approach to sustainable development during the West Nile Development Association (WENDA) Annual General Meeting at Muni University, in Arua City.
The United Nations Resident Coordinator, H.E. Rosa Malango was the Guest of Honour and delivered the keynote address on the theme "Building Sustainable Peace and Development through Agro- Industrialisation in West Nile: Lessons from Rwenzori and Beyond." The Agro-industrialisation for Local Economic Development (Agri-LED), which is a transformative Presidential Initiative, is an innovative approach to realizing people's aspirations at the local level by focusing on local evidence and prioritizing value-chains based on natural resources.
The meeting was attended the First Deputy Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Gen. Moses Ali; Minister of State for Northern Uganda, Hon. Grace Kwiyucwinyi, Minister of State for Energy, Hon. Simon D'Ujanga. Vice Chancellor of Muni University, Prof. Christine Dranzoa; WENDA Executive Director, Mr. Moses Akuma Odims; Members of Parliament from West Nile; and UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) Head of Office in Uganda, Dr. Dmitry Pozhidaev. “The 15 districts of West Nile are more united than ever before and we are on course to achieve sustainable development,” said Gen. Ali. While Hon. D’ Ujanga revealed that West Nile would soon be connected to the national electricity grid and that electricity lines were already being connected in the region.
Led by Muni University, the findings and recommendations of the research on the social economic challenges in West Nile conducted by WENDA revealed that only 30% of the arable land in West Nile is under productive use and crop yields are below the national average. The study recommended opening up and productively using the arable land through the one-acre model approach, the use of organic and inorganic fertilizers as well as mechanization. The study also recommended value addition through cooperative arrangements in the region.
In her keynote address Ms. Malango explained the Agri-LED initiative in Rwenzori region as a joint effort by Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) and the National Planning Authority (NPA), with whom the UN has collaborated to demonstrate the investment potential of Rwenzori region including the Rwenzori Investment Expo which was held in Fort Portal in January last year where over 200 local businesses and innovations were profiled in seven priority areas. She noted that participants included international delegations from Chine, Lebanon, Germany, Belgium, Kenya, DRC, Tanzania and South Sudan while five business deals were signed. The Expo was opened by His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni and attended by over 3,000 participants from 21 districts. Following the Expo, her office together with OWC, UIA and NPA published the Rwenzori Exhibitors' profiles as part of evidence generation, the first ever consolidated publication on the 194 businesses which exhibited at the Rwenzori expo. In addition, Rwenzori investment profiles were produced in five priority sectors: Agriculture; Infrastructure and services: Tourism: Human Capital Development (education and health); and Extractives and Minerals. Promotional videos of the Rwenzori Investment Profiles were also prepared and can be accessed at www.uganda.un.org and www.ugandainvest.go.ug Ms. Malango also provided an overview of UN footprint and investments in the region in support of humanitarian and development, and reiterated the UN commitment to support implementation of SDGs in the region including through Agri-LED.
Ms. Malango welcomed the baseline created through the research by WENDA and recommended prioritization by focusing on 4-5 key economic areas that can kick-start rural economic growth and leverage investment informed by relevant value chains; creating a local enabling environment to attract local and foreign investments into the region by ensuring accountability from parish to District to city and regional levels; ensuring a clear division of labour from the parish to national level to help farmers enhance value addition, create jobs, increase exports, and access to markets; and streamline financing by establishing a Consolidated Inter-Governmental Pooled Fund as a financing instrument for National Vision 2040 and SDGs. She also recommended the establishment of a regional partnership network to monitor progress, encouraged National Initiative for Civic Education in Uganda (NICE-UG) to support the development of civic education program to support mind set change in the region and suggested a strategic discussion including the Government and the UN to ensure the recommendations were feasible in the current global economic environment. She strongly encouraged leaders to factor in the strategic location of West Nile in order to benefit from markets in the Democratic Republic of Congo (newest member of the East African Community) and South Sudan. Ms. Malango also encouraged WENDA members to leverage existing investments in industrial parks already made across the country including the newly established park in Kasese and invited participants to assess modalities to improve post-harvest handling and transport for value-addition purposes.
The meeting appreciated the lessons from the Agri-LED approach in the Rwenzori region and committed to follow the best practices including the involvement of the private sector in their sustainable development plans including maximizing the potential of tourism and establishing an annual expo on opportunities in West Nile.
For further information
simon.nsereko@un.org michael.wangusa@un.org
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Press Release
04 March 2021
Uganda’s Sustainable Development Goals Data Platform goes live
Uganda now has a national Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) data and metadata platform, which enables anyone to obtain information on the SDGs in Uganda online at https://uganda.opendataforafrica.org/sdg
The Open Data Platform (ODP) acts as a data warehouse for Uganda’s statistical data and metadata for SDGs, and provides dashboards and visualisations to users, as well as data downloads in a variety of formats, useful for both the public interested in a high-level overview of how Uganda is progressing towards the SDGs and policy analysts and researchers who may want to explore the data in more detail.
Uganda is one of twenty countries across Africa and Asia participating in the UNSD-DFID project, which is led by the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) and funded by the UK Department for International Development. The overall objective of the project is to make Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) data open and available to the widest possible audience. The project aims to improve the availability of data on nationally aligned SDG indicators and making them more accessible through national data and metadata platforms for dissemination.
ODP is a cloud-based dissemination platform developed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) with support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and is available to all African countries. UNSD and AfDB worked with Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) and the SDG Secretariat at the Office of the Prime Minister to develop the platform, with support from the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) in Uganda. UBOS is the chair of the Data Technical Working Group within the National SDG Coordination Framework.
The ODP platform currently contains data for 40 global SDG indicators and allows the user to browse through some initial visualisations and view the global metadata for each indicator and download data for further use. Other developments foreseen include the addition of further data, including extended time series for the global indicators and the addition of national SDG indicators, as well as the addition of national metadata for the indicators. As part of this process, UNSD and AfDB will be providing in-depth training to UBOS and other stakeholders so that they can take full ownership of maintaining and updating the platform and dashboards.
For Further information
Uganda Bureau of Statistics UN Resident Coordinator’s Office SDG Secretariat
molly.acan@ubos.org michael.wangusa@un.org bpascal17711@gmail.com
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Press Release
04 March 2021
Next-generation Regional Collaborative Platform meeting kicks off for first time with regional UN entities in Africa
BRAZZAVILLE – Africa’s regional know-how, assets and policy expertise will be more systematically channeled to the Resident Coordinators and United Nations Country Teams (UNCTs) across the continent as they help countries ensure an inclusive and sustainable transition out of the COVID-19 crisis, UN Deputy Secretary-General and Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Group Amina J. Mohammed stressed as she joined the first annual meeting of the new Regional Collaborative Platform on 2 March 2021.
“Today marks the start of the next-generation collaboration approach for the regional UN entities to support African countries to respond and recover better from the COVID-19 pandemic and reignite the Decade of Action for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which is aligned with the Africa Union Agenda 2063,” Ms. Mohammed said.
The United Nations has been making progress on its sweeping reforms to strengthen its support to countries, leveraging its capacities at all levels. The new Regional Collaborative Platform has responded to the growing need for enhanced UN coordination and regional collaboration in the face of the pandemic and implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. It brings together UN regional expertise, capacity and data to provide analytical, policy and operational support to countries.
Yesterday’s discussion, attended by regional representatives from the Africa UN development system, focused on high-priority issues for the African continent to recover better from the pandemic and move toward the Sustainable Development Goals. These included accelerating the implementation of the continental free trade agreement; investing in youth and women’s empowerment to help countries reap the benefit of their demographic dividends; advancing home-grown sustainable and scalable technologies and digital solutions; building climate and disaster resilience; and continuing to support the African Union’s “Silencing the Guns” initiative.
Across the continent, Resident Coordinators and UNCTs are supporting countries in their access to COVAX vaccines and their socioeconomic response plans. In addition to the pandemic recovery, UN entities will work together to support sustainable development efforts in the Sahel, the Lake Chad Basin and the Horn of Africa, and address the resurgence of Ebola, and climate crises with severe damage caused by deadly droughts, cyclones and locust outbreaks.
“We are still in a recovery phase for the continent. We need additional resources. Our low- and middle-income countries, as well as small island states, have lost a lot of their resources. They need more fiscal space. They need more revenues. They need additional liquidity to ensure we build forward better,” said Under-Secretary-General Vera Songwe, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).
Although it was a transitional year, the regional UN entities demonstrated evidence of enhanced system-wide collaboration at the regional level. For example, last year, all of them joined forces to launch the Knowledge Management Hub on COVID-19 and shared a business continuity plan with governments to support their e-governance, e-justice and e-commerce for livelihoods, while the Africa e-education strategy was introduced to Resident Coordinators to provide emergency education to more than 100 million African children out of school.
“The African region is at a strategic juncture with COVID-19 recovery programmes and investments that we are making to enhance trade. All our efforts will yield desired results only if Africa’s people – our most important resource – feel productive, if they feel valued, if they feel safe, and if they feel secure,” said Assistant Secretary-General Ahunna Eziakonwa, Director of the Regional Bureau for Africa at the UN Development Programme (UNDP).
The new platform will engage with the African Union in April and accelerate its effort to deliver on its promise with an impact-oriented focus on implementations.
The Regional Collaborative Platform is chaired by the UN Deputy Secretary-General with two Vice-Chairs: Ms. Songwe and Ms. Eziakonwa. Its joint secretariat is comprised of UNECA, UNDP and the UN Development Coordination Office (DCO).
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Notes for correspondents
Agenda 2063 is Africa’s blueprint and master plan for transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of the future. It is the continent’s strategic framework that aims to deliver on its goal for inclusive and sustainable development.
The UN Resident Coordinator system encompasses all organizations of the United Nations system dealing with operational activities for development, regardless of their formal presence in the country.
Media contacts
Hiroyuki Saito, Regional Communications Officer
Regional Office for Africa, UN Development Coordination Office
saitoh@un.org
Maleele Choongo
Regional Bureau for Africa, UN Development Programme
Maleele.choongo@undp.org
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