On World Population Day, July 11, UNFPA Uganda commemorated the event in Adjumani district, in the West Nile region of Uganda. In line with the global theme, “25 years of the ICPD: accelerating the promise,” the national theme, “Renewing the Promise: Empowering Uganda’s youth to drive socio-economic transformation,” focused on underscoring the potential of young people to drive the ICPD agenda.
Guest of honor was Vice President His Excellency Edward Ssekandi, who made remarks on behalf of the President of Uganda, His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. In the speech, President Museveni renewed his promise to Uganda’s young population that Government of Uganda will create an enabling environment for them to play an active role in the money economy, both as buyers and producers. To solve the unemployment issue of the youth, the President said that Government of Uganda will continue to focus on building a strong foundation for infrastructure as well as on the four sectors of agriculture, industries, services and ICT.
In his remarks, the UNFPA Representative, Mr. Alain Sibenaler said that when we talk about empowering young people, it is critical to ensure that they access sexual and reproductive health information and services. “We need to stop teenage pregnancies so that a girl who does not want to become pregnant can finish school, and later can plan with their family with their partner, when they are ready,” said Mr. Sibenaler.
The Government of Netherlands pledged to support Uganda’s effort to improve access to sexual and reproductive health and rights services as means to empower the youth to drive socio-economic transformation.
“The Netherlands will step up support towards improving the sexual and re-productive health and rights of Ugandan women and men to a tune of 30 million Euros (about 125 billion UGX) in the next four years,” committed H.E. Henk Jan Bakker, the Ambassador of Netherlands to Uganda.
He said that the funds will be channeled through UNFPA, in close collaboration with the Ugandan authorities, targeting the West Nile region.
At the event, UNFPA Uganda together with Vice-President Edward Ssekandi, the First Deputy Prime Minister Moses Ali, H.E. Henk Jan Bakker, the Netherlands Ambassador to Uganda, Ministers and members of Parliament took the opportunity cut a cake to commemorate UNFPA’s 50th Anniversary. Over 2000 people participated in the World Population Day commemoration event.
-Story by Prossy Nakanjako Jonker
