SDGs: The challenging task awaiting Uganda

Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda chats with the UN Resident Coordinator in Uganda Eziakonwa-Onochie during his address to the envoys at the Prime Minister’s office last week. PHOTO BY ABUBAKER LUBOWA

What you need to know:

Reason. The SDGs will replace the MDGs but with a subset of specific targets that have to be met within the next 15 years

Kampala.

It was all glitz late last month as world leaders gathered for a week-long general assembly at the United Nations headquarters in New York to set a new conversation for the next 15 years.

Uganda was represented by President Museveni, who also co-chaired a session to adopt the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), an action plan that puts emphasis on 5Ps; People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnerships.

The goals
The SDGs will come into effect on January 1, 2016, to replace the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which were adopted in 2000 by the UN. The noticeable difference could be that while the MDGs were only eight, the SDGs are 17 goals, with a subset of 140 specific targets that have to be met in the next 15 years at a reported cost of $2-$3 trillion.

Goal number one of the SDG agenda, for example, is to “End poverty in all its forms.” Uganda has to meet about seven goals under this by 2030. These include, eradicating poverty for all and implementing social protection systems.

The nation also has to ensure that all men and women have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property, natural resources and appropriate new technology.

The second SDG; to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture; has about eight targets, among them to ensure that all Ugandans in vulnerable situations have access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round and to double the agricultural productivity and the incomes of small-scale food producers.

State minister for Finance David Bahati said at a press conference on the launch of the new development agenda in the country, that at least 75 per cent of the goals are already incorporated in the second phase of the National Development Plan (NDP II), the second in a series of five year plans, which is government’s talking point to transform Uganda into a middle class income by 2040.

“In the budgetary process for the next financial years, we shall take into account issues brought forward from the MDGs and ensure that the sector plans and budgets adequately internalise the principles of SDGs,” the minister said.

The government expects to spend about Shs196 trillion to implement NDP II, of which roughly 60 per cent will be raised internally and the balance from private sector contributions. But to raise this money, Uganda might need to work a little harder to meet targets under SDG 8, of promoting and achieving inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

The eight targets under goal eight will mean Uganda working towards sustaining per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances, and in particular, at least 7 per cent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, achieve higher levels of productivity of the economy through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, promotion of development-oriented policies.

According to the Finance ministry, Uganda’s annual GDP growth is currently at 6 per cent, but drops to 5 per cent owing to macroeconomic instability and economic activities outlook. Without an enabling environment, GDP remains stagnant and government cannot raise resources internally.

Commitment needed
Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda, who chaired the launch session at his office last week, reiterated government’s commitment to the global agenda of SDGs, saying there is strong consensus within government that the agenda should be financed through building a strong tax base and other mechanisms such as engagement of the Diaspora, improved access to financing or combating illicit financial flows.

Localising the Agenda
UN Resident Coordinator Ahunna Eziakonwa-Onochie says localising the SDGs is where most work is cut out. She said the agenda must be communicated to engage the people and to advocate for the relevance of the SDGs to an individual at communal level.

sdg goals
1. End poverty in all its forms.
2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation.
10. Reduce inequality within and among countries.
11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development.