Strengthening Partnerships: UN Resident Coordinator in Uganda Maiden Visit to Karamoja Focuses on Development Progress.
The United Nations Resident Coordinator, Uganda, Leonard Zulu, has emphasized the importance of investing in women to drive meaningful change during his maiden visit to Karamoja subregion.
“To make meaningful changes, we need to invest in women. If we make a massive investment in women, then we shall move forward,” he stated. Zulu also highlighted the need for gender-sensitive programming, ensuring that all initiatives are inclusive and equitable.
He noted that this approach is a game-changer, but emphasized that it doesn’t mean leaving men behind.
The objective of Zulu’s visit was to gather firsthand information about projects supported by UN agencies in the region. He sought to understand the milestones achieved, challenges faced, and the way forward for these initiatives.
“We are accountable to the taxpayers who contribute this money,” he added.
Zulu was impressed by the community’s acceptance of the projects, particularly in areas such as vegetable gardening for food and selling surplus produce. He expressed his desire to be a strong advocate for programs in Uganda, which is why he chose to visit the field to gather information from project implementers.
According to Zulu, health, education, and skills training are key sectors that require attention. He noted that some infrastructure in hospitals and schools is outdated, having been built in the 1940s.
However, he acknowledged the positive impact of school feeding programs, which have led to consistent enrolment. Zulu emphasized the need to think creatively about mobilizing local resources to sustain these initiatives.
Following his spot check on various projects in different districts, Zulu met with all implementing partners from Karamoja at Hotel Africana Moroto to discuss the progress and challenges of the projects.
