UNAU Calls for Integrating SDGs into Schools and Empowering Ugandan Youth to Drive Sustainable Development

The United Nations Association in Uganda (UNAU) has called for the creation of accessible platforms for Ugandan youth to learn about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and contribute to their achievement, emphasizing the integration of SDGs into school curricula.

This call was made by Linda Asaba, UNAU’s Programs Manager and coordinator of the Accelerate SDGs initiative across Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, during the closure of a two-day Youth Advocacy for SDGs Implementation event in Uganda.

Asaba, who believes in the power of capacity-building and awareness creation, stressed the critical role of Uganda’s youthful population—78% of the country’s total population—in achieving the SDGs. She emphasized that for Uganda to make significant strides towards sustainable development, young people must be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills from an early age.

The event, which brought together young leaders from Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, is part of a broader initiative supported by the United Nations Association of Finland. The first day of the event focused on peer-to-peer learning, allowing participants to share experiences and best practices from their respective countries. On the second day, attendees collaborated on developing actionable plans to implement SDG-related initiatives within their communities.

Asaba lauded Uganda’s efforts to localize the SDGs by integrating them into the National Development Plan and Vision 2040. However, she stressed the need for further efforts, particularly in creating avenues that allow every citizen to contribute meaningfully to the SDGs. “Uganda has done well in localizing the SDGs, but we can do more to push the agenda further,” she said.

Despite these efforts, Uganda is performing at an average rate of 52% in SDG achievement. According to Asaba, the country faces significant challenges, including limited resources to support youth capacity-building. “With 78% of Uganda’s population being youth, there is a need to ensure that every young person is skilled and knowledgeable, but the resources for this are limited,” she noted.

During the event, participants shared inspiring stories and best practices from their countries. Winnie Nina Joan Jo, the UNAU Chapter President at Kyambogo University, expressed her excitement about the workshop and pledged to work with fellow youth to localize the SDGs within her community. She highlighted the Tanzanian youth’s active involvement in political agendas as an example Uganda could learn from, urging greater participation of young people in driving SDG-related policies.

Isaac Nasasira, Uganda’s Youth Representative in Africa’s United Nations Youth Delegation Program, identified youth unemployment and limited access to digital tools as the main challenges facing Uganda’s youth. He called on the government to invest in providing affordable digital equipment and establish community centers where young people can access the necessary tools for research and learning.

The event concluded with a renewed sense of urgency and commitment among participants to continue advocating for the SDGs and ensuring that young people have the resources and opportunities they need to contribute to a more sustainable future.