Uganda leads SDGs attainment in Sub Saharan Africa
Oct 24, 2018
Quoting a recent UN Sustainable Development Solutions network on SDG index report, Rosa Malango, the UNDP and UN Resident Coordinator said Uganda scored 54.9% higher than the sub-Saharan Africa average of 52.8%.
PIC: Prime Minister of Uganda Ruhakana Rugunda (second left) and UN Resident Coordinator in Uganda Rosa Malango(left) talk to UN Sustainable Development Goals Ambassador Patrick Bitature(right), while UNDP Country Director Almaz Gebru (third right), Head of Civil Service (fourth left) John Mitala and State Minister of General Duties Mary Okurut look on, after launching the National Sustainable Development Goals Roadmap , at the Prime Minister's Office in Kampala on October 23, 2018. Photo by Kennedy Oryema
Ugandans are living better compared to their counterparts in Sub Saharan Africa. This is a result of Uganda making significant strides in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Quoting a recent UN Sustainable Development Solutions network on SDG index report, Rosa Malango, the UNDP and UN Resident Coordinator said Uganda scored 54.9% higher than the sub-Saharan Africa average of 52.8%.
SDG index and dashboards report provides a report card for country performance on the historic agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
It shows how leaders can deliver on their promise and it urges countries not to lose the momentum for important reforms and describes countries' progress towards achieving the SDGs and indicate areas requiring faster progress.
"This is a good baseline for Uganda to accelerate from. I want to congratulate the government upon this achievement and also encourage the private sector and civil society in implementing the SDGs," Malongo said.
Prime Minister of Uganda Ruhakana Rugunda (right) talks to UN Resident Coordinator Rosa Malango after launching the National Sustainable Development Goals Roadmap, at the Prime Minister's Office in Kampala on October 23, 2018. Photo by Kennedy Oryema
Sustainable Development Goals are a collection of 17 global goals set by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015.
These 17 Goals build on the successes of the Millennium Development Goals a universal call to action to end hunger, poverty, achieve good health, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, clean energy, good jobs and economic growth, reduced inequalities, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption, climate change, innovation, peace and justice, among other priorities.
Malango was on Tuesday speaking at the launch of the National Sustainable Development Goals roadmap. Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda launched the roadmap at his office in Kampala.
The roadmap operationalises the framework and provides priority actions to catalyse the implementation of SDGs across the country during the national Development Plan II 2015/16 -2019/20. The National SDG roadmap was prepared through consultative processes involving the government agencies, private sector, the civil society and the development partners.
"Can we end hunger, halt climate change and achieve gender equality while ensuring that every child goes to school. Global leaders including Uganda said yes. I believe with a positive mindset we can through this Uganda," Malongo noted.
Premier Rugunda singled out the country's reduced infant mortality rate in the last two years with certainty of a born baby surviving if well looked after and immunised. "The chances of Ugandan babies surviving is high and improving every day," Rugunda noted.
Government, together with representatives of Devt partners, the private sector, led by @psfug Chair @patrickbitature @UNinUganda @RMalango2015 &civil society launched #SDGroadmaplaunch #SDG. Our work is well cut out: to translate statements into tangible results for our people. pic.twitter.com/JYHk0b8k1B
— Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda (@RuhakanaR) October 23, 2018
He said the government has improved access to education and health and aims at achieving quality of social services.
The Premier said the roadmap will require all government entities to plan, cost and advocate for SDGs and will also be required to report on the progress.
He said Uganda's commitment to sustainable development is demonstrated through the ratification and domestication of regional and continental development agendas. "Our work is well cut out.
People want to see us walk the talk on these goals so that the statements are translated into action," he added.
Private Sector Foundation chairperson, Patrick Bitature, noted that large family numbers erode the gains in achieving SDGs.
"We must address the question of the size of families. The number of children Ugandan women have of seven plus is embarrassing. Uganda needs to work on that," Bitature said.
Prime Minister of Uganda Ruhakana Rugunda (second left) talks to UN Resident Coordinator Rosa Malango (centre) USAID Director Joachim Parker (third right), State Minister General Duties Mary Okurut (second right) and Sustainable Development Goals Ambassador Patrick Bitature after launching the National Sustainable Development Goals Roadmap at the Prime Minister's Office in Kampala on October 23, 2018. Photo by Kennedy Oryema
He said if SDGs are well implemented, they are beneficial not to only private sector but all stakeholders that work towards agenda 2030.
Joachim Parker, the development partners' group representative expressed concern over the declining government expenditure on the social sector. He said the 17% of national budget allocated to the health sector is still low. "The declining budget on social service is worrying," he noted.
He commended government's effort to bring SDGs to the light but advised government on the need to use the available resources efficiently.
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