Uganda-UN Joint collaboration to improve the lives of adolescents and youth

On 3 July 2024, a pivotal orientation workshop for district officials kicked off at the Namayingo District Council Hall, marking the beginning of the Uganda United Nations Joint Adolescent and Youth Programme (UNYJP). This three-day event, attended by over 40 stakeholders, was crucial in introducing the UNYJP and setting up a district-level coordination structure.

Launched by the President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni on International Youth Day 2023 in Kabale District, the UNYJP is a collaborative effort between the Government of Uganda and 13 United Nations Agencies. It aims to address youth-related issues within the framework of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and national priorities, with the goal of enhancing the socio-economic well-being of young people and supporting Uganda's strategic objectives alongside the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The workshop included several informative sessions, including presentations on district performance concerning general health indicators, particularly sexual reproductive health and rights. A key observation was that only 11 percent of adolescents and youth access sexual reproductive health services, with teenage pregnancies and gender-based violence (GBV) cases at 27 percent, higher than the national average of 24 percent.

On the second day of the event, the UNYJP team visited youth-led groups in Buhemba Sub-County and Shanyonja Health Center II. This visit focused on youth-led projects and health interventions, highlighting the remarkable journeys of child mothers and young GBV champions who have overcome significant challenges.

Moving forward, district leadership is expected to complete district-level action plans targeting adolescents and youth, form working groups, and map stakeholders and institutions to build a robust framework fostering the well-being and development of its young population while aligning with the SDGs.