Spotlight Initiative Transforming Lives in Northern Uganda

 From 4–8 May 2026, the Spotlight Initiative conducted a multi-stakeholder field mission to Kitgum in Northern Uganda including the Embassy of the Netherlands. The mission comprised representatives from UN agencies, civil society organisations, justice institutions, district local governments and community structures. The purpose was to engage beneficiaries and stakeholders, assess programme progress, document lessons learned, and identify gaps and opportunities for improvement. A key highlight of the mission was the launch of a video conferencing system at Kitgum High Court on 7 May 2026 to improve access to justice for communities in Kitgum and Lamwo. During the launch, the UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Nwanne Vwede-Obahor, noted that the initiative is “bringing justice closer to the people, ensuring that no one is left behind.”

At the start of the field mission, a courtesy meeting was held with the Chief Administrative Officer, district leaders reflected on how the Spotlight Initiative has been working in Kitgum since 2019, noting that this is now the second phase of programming. Stakeholders acknowledged the visible contribution of funding towards reducing Gender-Based Violence (GBV), addressing teenage pregnancy and school dropout, and strengthening access to justice.

Beneficiary and Stakeholder Group Discussions

On 6 May 2026, the field mission engaged beneficiaries and stakeholders in Labongo Akwang Sub-county through group discussions focused on three key thematic areas: Integrated GBV, SRHR, Empowerment and Access to Justice; Child Protection and Resilience Building; and TVET and Livelihoods Support. These discussions provided an opportunity to gather community perspectives, assess programme impact, and identify ongoing challenges and priorities for strengthening implementation.

Group 1: Integrated GBV, SRHR, Empowerment and Access to Justice

This discussion focused on GBV prevention and response, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), adolescent empowerment, and access to justice. Community leaders, Male Action Groups, and cultural leaders discussed how stronger coordination between health, justice, and protection systems is improving prevention and survivor support. Participants identified rape, defilement, physical assault, early marriage, child neglect, and economic violence as key challenges affecting women and girls. Harmful gender norms, alcohol abuse, and domestic conflict were identified as major drivers of violence.

Adolescent girls participating in Empowerment and Livelihood for Adolescents (ELA) platforms reported increased confidence, improved SRHR knowledge, and stronger resilience against early marriage, abuse, and exploitation. Safe spaces, mentorship, and peer support were highlighted as critical. Stakeholders also noted stronger referral pathways connecting survivors to legal aid, psychosocial support, health care, and child protection services. Cultural leaders highlighted youth and women’s leadership within institutions such as Ker Kwaro Acholi, reinforcing efforts to challenge harmful social norms from within community structures.

Group 2: Child Protection and Resilience Building

Beneficiaries shared key child protection challenges affecting communities, including school dropout, early marriage, child neglect, and poverty. Participants noted that some households are headed by mothers or grandparents due to fathers leaving, this then leaves women responsible for food, health care, and school fees. Therefore, limited finances continue to prevent many orphans and vulnerable children from remaining in school. Children living with nodding syndrome were identified as especially vulnerable to neglect, exploitation, and sexual abuse.  Participants also discussed harmful attitudes around parenting, family planning, and gender roles, which contribute to family instability and violence.

Community members highlighted solutions including stronger village-level awareness meetings, improved reporting of defilement and rape cases, parenting sensitisation for both mothers and fathers, and local representatives to collect and escalate community concerns. Beneficiaries requested continued support for girls who have dropped out of school, particularly through access to skilling opportunities and community sensitisation on child protection, legal consequences for offenders, and responsible parenting.

Group 3: TVET and Livelihoods Support

Beneficiaries described participating in three-month vocational training courses including electrical engineering, plumbing, carpentry, driving, motorcycle repair, tailoring, hairdressing, and welding. Participants reported improved employability, income generation, and confidence. Graduates in motorcycle repair now earn between UGX 10,000–20,000 daily through garage work, while tailoring and hairdressing trainees earn UGX 30,000–50,000 through market-based businesses and apprenticeships. Female trainees in traditionally male-dominated trades such as motorcycle repair and driving described overcoming initial gender bias and gradually building customer trust.

The programme also demonstrated strong inclusion measures, including accommodating young mothers by allowing them to attend training alongside caregivers for their children. Beyond technical training, beneficiaries received life skills, financial literacy, psychosocial support, savings training, and GBV awareness. While the programme has strengthened livelihoods and resilience, participants highlighted limited access to start-up kits and tools as a challenge to establishing independent businesses.

Launch of Video Conferencing System for Access to Justice

On 7 May 2026, the video conferencing system was officially launched at Kitgum High Court. The event provided an opportunity for stakeholders to observe the system in operation during live court proceedings, demonstrating how technology can be used to improve efficiency, reduce delays, and expand access to justice for communities in Kitgum and Lamwo. The UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Nwanne Vwede-Obahor, emphasized the need to address barriers to justice, noting that “justice delayed is justice denied.” She highlighted that this is the seventh such installation nationwide, aimed at reducing case backlogs and improving efficiency.

The Netherlands Embassy Head of Cooperation, Mr. Bouwe-Jan Smeding, stated that the Netherlands has committed EUR 80 million to the Spotlight Initiative, with video conferencing being one of several interventions supporting efforts to eliminate violence against women and girls.

Chairperson of ICT in the Judiciary, Hon. Christopher Madrama Izama, remarked that “distance is no longer a barrier to justice.” Stakeholders also raised accessibility challenges, including language barriers affecting refugee populations requiring South Sudanese language translation, as well as the need for sign language interpretation for persons with hearing impairments. These discussions reinforced the importance of accessible, timely, and people-centred justice.

Key Outcomes

• The field mission demonstrated strengthened multi-sectoral programming linking GBV, SRHR, protection, livelihoods, and justice interventions under the Spotlight Initiative.
• Improved coordination between service providers, stronger community engagement, and increased involvement of cultural and local leadership have contributed to greater trust in services and improved survivor support.
• The launch of the Video Conferencing Facility marks a significant advancement in technology-enabled justice delivery, helping reduce delays, improve efficiency, and bring justice services closer to communities in Kitgum and Lamwo.

Overall, the mission highlighted the importance of integrated programming in advancing gender equality, improving access to justice, and protecting the rights and dignity of women, girls, and vulnerable groups.

Way Forward

• Strengthen sustainability planning to support government ownership of key interventions, including justice technology systems.
• Expand community sensitisation on GBV prevention, child protection, parenting, and legal consequences for offenders.
• Increase support for girls and young mothers through education re-entry and skilling opportunities.
• Improve accessibility of justice services through translation, sign language interpretation, and community outreach.
• Explore provision of start-up kits and advanced training opportunities for TVET graduates.