SWEDEN | DONATION | UGANDA 

The Government of Sweden has announced new funding worth sh67 billion to improve the lives of mothers, children and youth in Uganda. 

The five-year funding will be utilised by UNICEF to support the most vulnerable and underserved women and children in rural areas as well as in urban settings including refugees and host populations and those affected by humanitarian crises. 

The Swedish Ambassador Maria Håkansson said the support comes at a critical time in Uganda’s fight against the COVID-19-pandemic. 

“In the short term, our support will enable UNICEF to play a critical role in the government’s accelerated mass vaccination campaign that started last week.” 

“This will help prevent the expiry of millions of doses of vaccine and contribute to safe reopening of schools,” said Håkansson. 

She added: “Around half of Uganda’s population is below 18 years of age and 25 per cent of teenage girls in Uganda are already mothers or pregnant with their first child.” 

“Keeping girls in schools reduces the risks of early childbearing and child marriage,” said Håkansson. 

Undernutrition in children is another government priority where UNICEF support is critical and that will be boosted by this contribution.  

The UNICEF Representative to Uganda, Dr. Munir Safieldin, hailed the continuous support extended to UNICEF especially at this critical time when the nation is slowly recovering from the pandemic. 

“Since its declaration, children and young people are bearing the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"The new funding received is clear evidence of our shared commitment to improve the lives of children in Uganda, that have been greatly affected by the pandemic,” said Dr. Safieldin. 

“The Swedish support will go a long way in supporting the Government of Uganda to ensure boys and girls have access to critical health care, protection services and are able to return safely to school and learn,” he added. 

Dr. Safieldin emphasized that “the new funding will build on the gains made for children and support the country to build back better.” 

While UNICEF’s mandate covers the entire country, the government of Uganda-UNICEF country programme 2021-2025, particularly aims at accelerating change for Uganda’s most deprived children. 

It will be implemented in 29 districts with the highest numbers or rates of child deprivation and or districts that are especially vulnerable to external shocks such as refugee movements and the impact of climate change.  

Under the new UNICEF Country Programme 2021-2025, UNICEF is committed to continuing supporting government efforts to ensure increased access to and use of quality integrated health, nutrition, HIV, newborn, and water and sanitation services. 

In addition, there will be support to improved learning for all children and young people; and protection of all boys and girls in Uganda from all forms of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation, including harmful practices.