UN, Govt sign pact to boost development

The Government has entered into a five-year co-operation arrangement with the United Nations (UN) for joint efforts in implementing various development programmes to improve the lives of Ugandans.

The co-operation agreement was signed yesterday by the Prime Minister, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda and the UN resident country co-ordinator, Rosa Malango.

During the signing ceremony at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Malango noted that the agreement would help the two parties holding each other accountable.

"The co-operation framework reinforces the mutual accountability between the UN and the host government. The co-operation framework provides information on the capabilities and contributions of UN entities, as well as the UN country team confi guration," she said.

Malango said with the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs - the 2030 Agenda), the co-operation framework with the Uganda government will enable the 31 UN agencies operating in Uganda to implement programmes through three strategic priorities of transformative and inclusive governance, shared prosperity in a healthy environment and human wellbeing and resilience.

She commended the OPM and other government entities, development partners, the civil society, the private sector, youth influencers and other stakeholders who participated in the inclusive deliberations, which culminated into the United Nations Sustainable Development Co-operation Framework for Uganda (UNSDCF) 2021-2025.

Malango said they have ensured that the framework is anchored on the aspirations of Uganda's National Vision 2040, the third National Development Plan (NDPIII) 2020-2025, as well as the SDGs.

Malango said what is now left is President Yoweri Museveni to sign the agreement, after which they will formulate joint work plans, which will be closely aligned to Uganda's 2020-2025 NDPIII.

"I re-affirm our commitment to continue working with all stakeholders, including the Government, to accelerate the SDGs and ensure that we leave no one behind in Uganda," Malango said. The National Planning Authority (NPA) chairperson, Prof. Pamela Mbabazi, said the renewed commitment between the UN and Uganda to cooperate will speed up Uganda's transformation process into a prosperous country.

Rugunda argued that since the government, UN agencies and the civil society groups work towards a common goal of improving the quality of life for humanity, it is important for them to have concerted efforts.

The National Planning Authority (NPA) chairperson, Prof. Pamela Mbabazi, said the renewed commitment between the UN and Uganda to cooperate will speed up Uganda's transformation process into a prosperous country.

Rugunda argued that since the government, UN agencies and the civil society groups work towards a common goal of improving the quality of life for humanity, it is important for them to have concerted efforts.

Development plans

The SDGs, which are supposed to be realised by 2030, include ending poverty in all its forms everywhere, ending hunger, ensuring healthy lives, ensuring inclusive and quality education, achieving gender equality, ensuring availability of clean water and sanitation for all, as well as access to affordable and sustainable modern energy for all. 

In Vision 2040, the Government plans to ensure the realisation of an upper middle-income status with every Ugandan earning $9500 (sh35.1m) annually and with a poverty rate of only 5% by 2040.

In NDPIII, which is one of the phased development plans to achieve Vision 2040, the government intends to reduce the number of Ugandans below the poverty line from the current 21.4% to 15.5%.

Through NDPIII, the government also plans to increase the per capita income from the current $879 (sh3.2m) to $1,300 (sh4.8m) by 2025.