Diaspora rooting for women empowerment through Obuntubulamu

Jul 31, 2019

Mukiibi noted that under this partnership, UNAA Causes will be conducting a fundraising activity to support the Foundation's Social Economic Strengthening for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) programme.

CULTURE     OBUNTUBULAMU     BUGANDA

DIASPORA - Ugandans in the diaspora have partnered with the Buganda Queen's Nnabagereka foundation, to empower girls and women. This year, they are focusing on social and economic strengthening of adolescent girls and young women through the concept of Obuntubulamu.

According to Sylvia Nagginda, the Queen (Nnabagereka) of Buganda, the character of Obuntubulamu embraces, encourages and promotes recognition and understanding of common and shared humanity as a people. She adds that it espouses other values of compassion, integrity, dignity, responsibility, discipline, empathy, love and caring.

Obuntubulamu is related to the South Africa concept of Ubuntu popularized by Desmond Tutu in his famous quote that goes: "Bringing people together is what I call ‘Ubuntu,' which means ‘I am because we are.'

The 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly held in New York in 2017 identified Obuntubulamu as one of the innovations to facilitate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

It specifically highlighted Goal 16 on peace, justice, and strong institutions.

Rosa Malongo, the UN resident representative in Uganda, said they believe Obuntu and Obuntubulamu are universal values involving shared humanity, shared space, respect, and dignity.

"If you think about these concepts and integrate them to the global level, this is exactly what the sustainable development goals agenda is all about," she said. 

It is, therefore, against this background that the Nnabagereka Development Foundation, through their endeavour to revive the Obuntubulamu both in Uganda and around the world, has partnered with various local and international groups. Their partners include individuals, associations and NGOs, the latest being with the Ugandan in North America Association Causes (UNAA Causes).

According to Andrew Adrian Mukiibi, the executive director of the foundation, they seek to rally Ugandans in the diaspora to support their activities through Obuntubulamu. This is the key driver of all their programmes for the improvement of the quality of life of youth, children and women.

"Ugandans in the diaspora have, for many years, contributed to our work by serving on the Foundation's board in the USA, as well as running our children and youth camp (Ekisaakaate Kya Nnabagereka) in the diaspora. They have also been fundraising for various Foundation activities," he added.

Mukiibi noted that under this partnership, UNAA Causes will be conducting a fundraising activity to support our Social Economic Strengthening for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) programme.

"The funds generated from these activities will be used to improve the livelihoods of disadvantaged adolescent girls and young women. This will be through skilling them to start income-generation activities within their communities and providing group start-up for investment," he said.  

Mukiibi said the Governance Board Vice-Chairperson Dr Maria Nassali, will attend UNAA Causes' Uganda Festival scheduled for August 29 -September 2019 in New York, USA. The aim is to rally more Ugandans behind their cause and hopes Ugandans in the diaspora will become Obuntubulamu champions.

According to David Muwanga, the CEO of UNAA Causes, at the festival, they will unveil a team to lead Ugandans in North America to join the Foundation's efforts in improving the lives of Ugandans back home.

Mukiibi says the Foundation supports maternal health programmes for women at the grassroots through meetings, workshops and promotion of sexual reproductive health, safe motherhood and family planning.

They also address leaders in various sectors-religious, culture, health, education, women groups and youth group and communicate with men and women. They have worked with international organisations like UNPA, UNAIDS, WHO, and UNICEF, among others.

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