UN Women Uganda Launches Strategic Note 2026–2030 to Accelerate Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment
Date:
On 20th May 2026, UN Women Uganda officially launched its Strategic Note (SN) 2026–2030 at Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Kampala, marking a major milestone in its commitment to advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls across the country.
The launch brought together senior government officials, development partners, members of the diplomatic community, civil society organizations, the private sector, women-led organizations, youth representatives, and United Nations agencies. Participants reaffirmed their collective commitment to advancing gender equality and ensuring that no woman or girl is left behind.
The Strategic Note 2026–2030 serves as UN Women Uganda’s road map for supporting national priorities and contributing to Uganda’s development agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and global commitments on gender equality and women’s rights. It builds on lessons learned and achievements from the previous programming cycle while responding to emerging challenges and opportunities affecting women and girls in Uganda.
Mr. Leonard Zulu, the UN Resident Coordinator in Uganda commended UN Women Uganda for a strategy that is forward-looking and grounded in realities of women and girls in Uganda.
“We are meeting at a time of global uncertainty, where economic, climate, and social pressures continue to disproportionately affect women and girls,” he said.
He said gender equality remains essential to sustainable development, inclusive growth, and the achievement of the SDGs, adding that: “Progress must be accelerated through strong partnerships, investments, and collective action across all sectors.
“Gender equality is not a standalone issue. It is foundational to every aspect of sustainable development and central to delivering on our commitment to Leave No One Behind,” he noted.
Speaking at the launch, UN Women Uganda Country Representative, Dr. Paulina Chiwangu, emphasized the importance of collective action.
“The Strategic Note 2026–2030 reflects our unwavering commitment to supporting Uganda in achieving transformative and sustainable progress for women and girls. It is a call for stronger partnerships, greater investment, and coordinated action to address persistent inequalities and create opportunities for all women and girls to thrive,” she said.
Delivering the keynote address, the Deputy Head of Public Service for Coordination and Service Delivery in the Office of the Prime Minister, Jane Kyarisima Mwesiga, underscored the centrality of gender equality in Uganda’s socio-economic transformation agenda.
“Gender equality is not only a social commitment; it is part of Uganda’s strategy for transformation,” she said.
She commended UN Women for its continued support to Uganda in advancing women’s leadership, improving access to justice for survivors of gender-based violence, strengthening women’s participation in peacebuilding and refugee governance, and promoting gender-responsive planning and budgeting.
“These achievements matter because they show that progress is possible when policy commitment, financing, coordination, and community action come together,” she added.
Ms. Kyarisima called for strengthened partnerships to accelerate gender equality, noting that the Strategic Note aligns with national development priorities and provides an opportunity to advance the rights and empowerment of women and girls. She emphasized that gender equality is a national development imperative, not solely a women’s issue.
While acknowledging progress, she highlighted persistent challenges including gender-based violence, poverty, early marriage, and limited opportunities, urging stakeholders to translate commitments into tangible improvements in the lives of women and girls.
The Strategic Note prioritizes women’s economic empowerment, ending violence against women and girls, women’s leadership and political participation, peace and security, governance, climate resilience, and strengthened accountability for gender equality commitments. It also places strong emphasis on reaching the most marginalized groups, including rural women, refugee women, adolescent girls, women with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations.
Government representatives reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to gender equality and recognized the importance of partnerships in driving inclusive and sustainable development. They commended UN Women for its continued support in strengthening national systems, policies, and programmes that advance the rights and wellbeing of women and girls.
Speakers throughout the event emphasized that investing in women and girls is both a human rights imperative and a catalyst for economic growth, social cohesion, peacebuilding, and sustainable development.
The Strategic Note 2026–2030 is aligned with Uganda’s national development priorities and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. It aims to strengthen collaboration with government, civil society, development partners, the private sector, academia, media, and communities to deliver transformative results for women and girls across the country.
The event concluded with a renewed call for collective action to accelerate progress toward a more equal, just, and prosperous Uganda, where every woman and girl can live free from discrimination, violence, and exclusion.