Nabbanja to track implementation of NGO programmes

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has pledged to track non-government organisation programmes to ensure they are implemented according to government plan and not just end on paper.

Ms Nabbanja made the remarks on Friday while officiating the launch of the new World Vision Uganda 2021-2025 strategy in Kampala.

 The Prime Minister also urged the organisation to be driven by field experience but not air conditioned offices.  

“It is my prayer that this strategy helps you remain the organisation we all know and associate with; an organisation that responds to the cries of every child and collaborates and works with all. Beyond the strategy, I will be interested in hearing and tracking about the progress of its implementation so that it does not remain on paper. You have my full support and that from the government,” Ms Nabbanja said.  

Titled partnership and collaboration for greater impact, the five-year strategy that targets to reach 5.2 million children in Uganda prioritises food security and livelihoods, water, sanitation and hygiene, education, health and nutrition programs to impact children and their communities. The new roadmap will integrate child protection throughout its implementation.

The report comes at the backdrop of reported 20 percent increase in violence against children reported during the Covid-19 pandemic. Thousands of other violence cases have also gone not reported since Covid-19 broke out in Uganda in March 2020, leaving the violence problem possibly bigger than it is reported.   

Statistics from Sauti 116, a child helpline that was set up by government shows that it registered more than 5,558 cases of violence against through various platforms. Most of the violence cases were sexual, physical while others came in the form of emotional abuse, child neglect and exploitation, among other forms.

“The strategy addresses itself into the four pillars of the national child policy of health and survival, development and education, child protection, participation and systems strengthening,” said Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi, the Sate Minister for Youth and Children Affairs in the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development.   

Speaking at the same event, the Country Director for World Vision Uganda, Mr Jason Evans said children are at the centre of the five-year strategy.

“It is our promise to vulnerable children and part of our efforts to focus our resources to have the most significant impact on children. At the same time, the strategy reflects our renewed commitment to vulnerable children," Mr Jason said.

The new strategy is a product of collaborative efforts between World Vision Uganda and its key stakeholders, including children, communities, government, faith leaders, civil society organisations and private sector players. It is guided by the organisation's global strategy and well-aligned to national and international development goals.

Nationally, the strategy blends well with Uganda’s third National Development Plan and its component of human capital development that focuses on issues that improve welfare of children such as education, skills development, access to health, immunization, protection and future employment, all geared towards improvement of quality of life of children in Uganda.