The Mandate and Functions of UNATCOM
The UNATCOM is mandated to work with individuals, institutions, bodies, agencies and departments that exist locally and internationally. At the national level, UNATCOM works primarily with government ministries, departments and agencies, including the Parliament of Uganda, local governments, NGOs, faith-based organizations, the media, cultural institutions and organizations, associations, universities, the private sector, embassies and individuals. At the international level UNATCOM collaborates with UNESCO and its affiliate institutions, other National Commissions for UNESCO, UN agencies, International NGOs and individuals. The various partners support UNATCOM in various ways to ensure the attainment of its mandate.
The core functions of UNATCOM enshrined in the UNATCOM (2014) Act are to:
- promote understanding of the objects and purposes of UNESCO among the people of the Republic of Uganda;
- advise the Government of Uganda on all matters relating to UNESCO;
- serve as a liaison agency between the Government of Uganda and the institutions concerned with working for the advancement of education, sciences, culture, communication and information;
- approve and recommend all UNESCO activities and programmes in Uganda;
- advise government ministries, departments and agencies, civil society organizations and individuals on the resolutions, recommendations and any other matter adopted by the organs of UNESCO, and follow up on their implementation
- participate in the planning and execution of activities entrusted to UNESCO which are undertaken with the assistance of the Government, United Nations agencies and any other international organization or development partner;
- disseminate information to the public on the objectives, programmes and activities of UNESCO;
- collaborate with other National Commissions for UNESCO, UNESCO field offices, United Nations agencies and other partners in fostering regional, sub-regional and bilateral cooperation in the UNESCO fields of competence particularly through joint formulation and execution of programmes;
- participate in the search for qualified candidates for UNESCO posts and in the placement of UNESCO fellowship holders
- initiate, support, undertake, sponsor, promote and encourage activities in UNESCO fields of competence;
- collect relevant data relating to UNESCO fields of competence for purposes of wide distribution;
- monitor and evaluate the progress of UNESCO programmes in Uganda and report to UNESO head office; and perform any other function related to this Act as the Minister may direct by statutory instrument.