By The Executive Director of the Ugandan National NGO Forum Mr. Moses Isooba, has emphasized Uganda’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) despite the challenges the country faces.
Speaking at Protea Hotel in Kampala on Wednesday 2nd April during the CSO- Government Public Dialogue on Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development Goals, Mr. Isooba noted that Uganda has made significant progress in areas such as education and gender equality.
“We have women in leadership positions, including the speaker of parliament and the vice president,” Mr. Isooba said adding “We also have 16 female permanent secretaries out of 33.”
He also explained that Uganda has also seen improvements in access to education and literacy rates. However, Mr. Isooba acknowledged that the country still faces significant impediments and challenges, including inadequate investment in public services and climate change.
“A significant portion of our domestic revenue is spent on debt repayment, rather than on critical areas such as healthcare and education,” Mr. Isooba said. “Climate change is another major challenge facing Uganda, with the country experiencing frequent floods and droughts.”
Charity Kalebbo Ahimbisibwe, Executive Director of the Electoral Laws and Governance Institute in Uganda, echoed Mr. Isooba’s sentiments, highlighting the country’s progress in gender equality. However, she noted that despite this progress, there are still significant gaps in achieving true equity.
“We have 33.3% representation of women, but what we have not achieved is equity,” Ahimbisibwe said. “When you look at the electoral representation, the majority of women in parliament are coming in on the affirmative action seat.”
Ahimbisibwe emphasized the need for sensitization and support from men to empower women to play their roles.
“Gender roles are still real, and because these things still exist, we haven’t attained the level that we want to attain,” she said.
To address these challenges, Mr. Isooba highlighted Uganda’s commitment to increasing its investment in public services and prioritizing climate action.
Uganda is also set to host the 11th session of the African Regional Forum for Sustainable Development, which brings together representatives from across the continent to discuss progress on the SDGs. The forum will take place from April 6-9th, Mr. Isooba is optimistic that it will provide a platform for Uganda to showcase its progress and challenges in achieving the SDGs. It will also bring together experts and stakeholders to discuss solutions to the challenges facing the country.
“We are committed to achieving the SDGs, and we recognize that we have a long way to go,” Mr. Mr. Isooba said. “But we are making progress, and we are determined to continue working towards a more sustainable and equitable future for all Ugandans.”
