Delivering Results Together for Uganda: Taking Stock of Progress

The annual Government of Uganda and United Nations Joint Steering Committee (JSC) meeting to assess progress on the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2021-2025 was held on 15 April 2026 at Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kampala.

The meeting was jointly chaired by the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja and UN Resident Coordinator Mr. Leonard Zulu. The JSC meeting provides Strategic Direction and Political Leadership; Oversight, Inclusive Dialogue and Accountability; and Coordination, Joint Resource Mobilization and Financing.

This year’s JSC meeting was embedded within the three-day National Performance Review Conference which enabled a wide range of stakeholders to participate including central and local government leaders including  cabinet ministers, permanent secretaries, all district leaders comprising Resident District commissioners (RDCs), Chairs of District Local Governments and Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs); Heads of UN Agencies; and representatives from development partners, civil society, youth and academia.

In her opening remarks, Prime Minister Rt Hon. Nabbanja, emphasized the importance of leadership in driving results. “Leadership means using limited resources more efficiently to deliver real, measurable impact for our people. We must translate our commitments into tangible outcomes—improving service delivery, creating opportunities, and ensuring no one is left behind,” she said.

In his remarks, Mr. Zulu reinforced the importance of adapting to a changing financing environment. “Uganda must move from being a spending state to being a financing state, with government leadership, strategic partnerships, and innovative financing at the centre of development,” he said.

He noted that Uganda is now a lower-middle-income country, navigating a shifting global landscape where aid is tightening and expectations are rising. In this context, the United Nations continues to support evidence-based prioritization, strengthen inclusive dialogue, and ensure that the most vulnerable are reached first.

The highlights of the Uganda UN Country Results Report 2025 in support of the Third National Development Plan (NDP III) were presented by members of the UN Country Team as follows: Priority 1 -Transformative and Inclusive Governance presented by UN Women Representative, Ms. Paulina Chiwangu; Priority 2 - Shared Prosperity in A Healthy  Environment presented by IOM Chief of Mission, Mr. Sanusi Savage; Priority 3 presented by UNFPA Representative, Ms. Kristine Blokhus; Cross-Cutting - Gender Equality, Human Rights and Leaving No One Behind in Action presented by UNAIDS Country Director, Ms. Jacqueline Makokha; and Lessons from 2025 presented by UNICEF Representative Dr. Robin Nandy.

The report highlighted that Uganda continues to deliver tangible development results across sectors, even as global development assistance declines. It underscored a shift toward stronger national ownership, more strategic partnerships, and a growing emphasis on financing sustainable development from within.

At the same time, Uganda’s progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals reflects both achievement and complexity. While some goals are on track, others face moderate or significant challenges, and a few remain far from reach. This uneven progress underscores the need for more targeted and sustained efforts to ensure that development advances inclusively and reaches all Ugandans.

Key Achievements:

Pillar 1: Transformative and Inclusive Governance

Across Uganda, systems are becoming more responsive and accessible. Nearly 50 institutions at national and sub-national levels have been strengthened in planning, budgeting, justice performance management, and data systems. These improvements are translating into real outcomes, over 7,500 individuals have received legal support, while outreach initiatives have reached more than 33,000 inmates, helping reduce case backlogs and improve access to justice. Innovations such as video conferencing and court open days are increasing transparency and efficiency. At the same time, strengthened national statistical systems are improving how decisions are made, ensuring they are grounded in reliable data. Beyond institutions, communities are also seeing change. More than 14,000 young people have been supported to prevent violent extremism and build leadership skills, while cross-border programming in regions such as Karamoja is addressing conflict at its roots. Through peace and security communications reaching over 5 million people, trust in public systems is steadily growing.

Pillar 2: Shared Prosperity and Economic Transformation

Economic opportunities are expanding, particularly for young people and small-scale producers. 

• Over 53,000 youth transitioned into employment through coordinated skills and enterprise initiatives.
• Smallholder farmers generated nearly US$ 5.9 million, supported by improved market access and stronger value chains.
• Access to finance is also improving. Nearly 100 small and medium enterprises secured loans totaling US$ 4.69 million, many for the first time, enabling them to grow and create jobs.
• Clean energy initiatives are gaining momentum, with over 800,000 products distributed, generating thousands of green jobs while reducing environmental pressure. At the same time, climate resilience is being strengthened. Grants and early action programmes are helping districts and households prepare for shocks before they occur, protecting livelihoods and reducing vulnerability.
• Livelihood programmes are also supporting both refugees and host communities, fostering inclusion and shared economic growth.

Pillar 3: Human Wellbeing and Resilience

Progress in human development is reaching millions. Over 13 million people accessed improved health, education, nutrition, protection, and water services in 2025. Investments in family planning have ensured widespread availability of essential commodities, while nutrition programmes have treated tens of thousands of children facing severe acute malnutrition. Access to safe water continues to improve, with 80% of villages now served by at least one reliable water source. Efforts are ongoing to close the remaining gap and ensure universal access.

Across these interventions, the focus is increasingly on resilience, building systems and communities that can withstand shocks while maintaining progress. Gender equality and human rights remain central throughout. More than 64,000 survivors of gender-based violence received support services, while judicial processes have improved efficiency in handling such cases. At the same time, refugees and persons with disabilities are being more fully integrated into national systems, ensuring that development planning reflects the realities of all populations.

Challenges:

Despite clear progress, significant challenges remain. Youth unemployment continues to place pressure on the economy, while Uganda’s role as a major refugee-hosting country requires sustained resources and coordination. Global supply chain disruptions are affecting economic stability, and climate vulnerability continues to threaten livelihoods, particularly in already fragile regions. These challenges are interconnected, reinforcing the need for approaches that are both systemic and adaptive.

Way Forward:

The Joint Steering Committee reaffirmed the Cooperation Framework as the central platform for Government–United Nations partnership in support of The Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), SDG acceleration, and Uganda’s ambitions to graduate to upper middle-income status.

Recognizing the UN’s complementary and catalytic role, the Committee emphasized its contribution through technical expertise, convening power, and system-level solutions to accelerate national priorities.

Key priorities for 2026 include:

• Consolidation over expansion: Focusing on quality, efficiency, and system-level impact
• Strengthening national systems: Advancing policy implementation and reinforcing UN coherence in line with UN@80 reforms
• Expanding partnerships: Deepening collaboration across Government, development partners, international financial institutions (IFIs), civil society, and the private sector
• South–South cooperation: Promoting peer learning and practical solutions
• Inclusive development: Ensuring women, youth, refugees, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized groups are fully integrated
• Sustainable financing: Transitioning to predictable, programmatic, and blended financing aligned with national priorities
• Domestic resource mobilization: Strengthening financing for development and private sector engagement
• Coordinated financing strategy: Supporting Uganda’s shift from a spending state to a financing state

In her closing remarks, Prime Minister Rt Hon. Nabbanja noted,“one message has come out clearly from our discussions today: working together, and not in silos, is the only way we will achieve the transformation we seek. Our future success depends on sustained collaboration, mutual trust, and a shared commitment to implementation…Together, through joint effort and shared resolve, we can accelerate progress and take Uganda to the next level.”