By Vincent Ogal.
Uganda National Commission for UNESCO (UNATCOM) successfully held its 2019 Annual review on the 7th August 2019 in an event that brought together a number of key stakeholders from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies in Uganda hosted at Imperial Royale Hotel, Kampala.
While officiating at the opening of the one day forum, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education and Sports who was represented by the Under Secretary, Mr. Aggrey Kibenge commended the UNESCO and National Commission for UNESCO (UNATCOM) for the tremendous contribution it continues to make to the Education sector in Uganda. He further pledged that the Education Ministry which houses UNATCOM will continue to support all its areas of operations in Uganda.
The Secretary General UNATCOM Ms. Rosie Agoi while delivering her remarks stated that UNATCOM’s major goal in Uganda is to contribute to the attainment of sustainable peace through education, sciences, culture and communication and information. She thanked the various stakeholders who have worked tirelessly hard to ensure that the National Commission attains its goals and mandate.
Agoi noted that UNATCOM works directly with 11 Ministries in Uganda, namely; the Education and Sports (MoES), Gender Labour & Social Development (MoGLSD), Water and Environment (MoWE), Wildlife Tourism & Antiquities, Science Technology and Innovation (MoSTI), ICT, Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Energy and Mineral Development (EMD), Lands Housing and Urban Development (LHUD), Local Government (MoLG) and Internal Affairs (MoIA).
Objective of the Annual Review.
- To reflect on the activities in the past 1 year (FY 2018-19) of the government and ½ of a biennium under UNESCO Programming.
- To share with the stakeholders the performance in the period under review.
- To get feedback from stakeholders on the image of the UNATCOM.
- To share the plans for the 2019-20.
- To get proposals for 2020-21 that will feed in to planning for GoU planning.
While highlighting the challenges that UNATCOM is still grappling with, the Secretary General noted with concern the limited knowledge about the national commission and its mandate among various key stakeholders in Uganda. She also noted that limited funding from the government of Uganda has also hindered the operationalization of the UNATCOM Act of 2014 and affected the implementation of its programmes nationwide.