To bolster national planning activities, policymakers have been urged to embrace digital tools to foster greater transparency, efficiency, and effectiveness. 

The call to action was made during the meeting on “Leveraging Digital Technologies for Integrated Planning to Advance the SDGs and Agenda 2063 in Times of Multiple Crises”, which took place as a side event at the Tenth Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD-10). 

Mr Antonio Pedro, Deputy Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), stressed the importance of technology in supporting development planning systems. He said that while many countries do an excellent job of identifying their priorities through extensive stakeholders’ consultation, the number of identified priorities is often so numerous that implementation becomes a challenge. 

To address this challenge, ECA developed the Integrated Planning and Reporting Tool (IPRT), a web-based tool designed to enhance the effectiveness of planning. The IPRT aims to strengthen planning systems by leveraging technology, allowing for the digital tracking of national, provincial  and sector plans in alignment with annual budgets and international commitments such as SDGs and Agenda 2063. 

Mr Bartholomew Armah, Chief of Development Planning in the Macroeconomics and Governance Division at ECA highlighted the tool’s ability to facilitate integrated and coherent planning, addressing the issue of disconnected planning frameworks at various levels and ensuring alignment with global commitments. “The IPRT represents a significant step forward in the integration of multiple development agendas into national development plans, offering a harmonized approach to progress reporting”, he said.

Ms.  Annette Griessel, Deputy Director General of National Planning Coordination at the South African Department of Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation (DPME), highlighted the transformative role of technology in redressing the development disparities created by South Africa’s apartheid past.

She noted the progress made in reforming the planning system, ensuring their alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Africa’s Agenda 2063,  “which is seen as a cornerstone in building a capable developmental state”. 

The IPRT has already been deployed in more than 30 countries with ongoing efforts to ensure its use by other countries on the continent. It makes the tracking of performance on the indicators of the National development plan more user-friendly.

The e-meeting was organized by ECA’s Macroeconomics and Governance Division and the Office for Eastern Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni met with former President of Botswana, H.E. Ian Khama, yesterday at State House Entebbe.

The former President of Botswana was accompanied by a delegation from the global NGO, Space for Giants, led by its founder and CEO, Dr. Max Graham.

Space for Giants is an organization championing the conservation of natural resources and wildlife in nine African countries, including Uganda, Kenya, Gabon, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, and Angola. Its headquarters are based in Nanyuki, Kenya. They also operate in the UK and USA.

H.E. Khama briefed President Museveni on the organization’s significant role in conserving natural resources and wildlife, highlighting its ability to provide social and economic value to local communities and national governments.

“As a conservationist, my main goal is to promote the well-being of nature. This organization brings its own funding and aims to involve communities in protecting the fauna and flora,” said Khama.

Dr. Max Graham, the founder and CEO of the organization, along with Mr. Justus Karuhanga, the Country Director-Uganda, shared their ambitious plans for actively engaging in the conservation of natural resources and wildlife in Uganda.

“We have already identified areas within the Karamoja sub-region, such as Pian-Upe, and we are committed to involving the local communities in the conservation of natural resources and wildlife in these areas,” he pledged.

Dr. Graham also mentioned their plans to launch a Carbon trade project in the region, explaining that the profits would be shared among the government, the local community, and the organization.

President Museveni, flanked by his daughter, Ms. Diana Museveni Kyaremera, warmly welcomed former President Khama and the members of Space for Giants to Uganda.

As a passionate advocate for wildlife and the environment, President Museveni requested that Space for Giants also focus on the conservation of wetlands.

The President highlighted the issue of encroachment on wetlands by farmers cultivating rice.

“As a conservationist I want you to take interest in the conservation of wetlands. The culture of growing rice in the swamps was introduced after Independence but now we want to restore these swamps from the people who were misled. The government is trying to give those who were misled a soft landing by replacing rice growing in swamps with fish farming, to get an alternative livelihood for these people preferably fishponds at the periphery of the swamps that will make them earn more money than rice growing,” the President pointed out.

President Museveni was however glad to learn that the areas identified by the organisation of Pian- Upe in Karamoja sub- region need their effort as they have been degraded by Wanainchi who overgraze cattle in the game reserve and also engage in charcoal burning.

The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Matia Kasaija, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Water and Environment, Dr. Alfred Okot, the Commissioner -Climate Change in the Ministry of Water and Environment, Ms. Margaret Athieno and the Special Presidential Assistant Tourism, Ms. Priscilla Butagira.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Uganda.

We, the members of the Governing Board of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), are gravely concerned about the escalating human toll of violence and conflict around the world. Today, we call on all parties to ensure the safety and protection of humanitarian workers and civilians and allow unhindered access for humanitarian organizations to deliver essential assistance. 

Amid tremendously challenging circumstances, including armed conflicts and neglected global crises, 2023 was one of the deadliest years for humanitarian aid workers ever recorded, with over 400 lives lost. In the first four months of 2024, we have seen a continually grim trajectory of humanitarian aid workers killed while working in service to others. 

Over the past six months, National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have lost 30 dedicated volunteers and staff members from Algeria, Ethiopia, Iran, Israel, Libya, Palestine and Sudan. We mourn these losses and honor their service. They were not just colleagues but beloved family members and friends, tragically killed while trying to help others. This is unacceptable according to international humanitarian law, our Fundamental Principles and for humanity as a whole. 

It is in this context that we reiterate our call that National Red Cross and Red Crescent Society volunteers and staff are granted safe and unhindered access and space to provide humanitarian services according to our Fundamental Principles of neutrality, impartiality, and independence. 

The imperative to safeguard civilians extends to vital institutions, including hospitals, schools, and critical infrastructure. These institutions must be shielded from harm to maintain stability, provide critical services, and offer hope during the darkest hours of crisis and conflict. 

National Red Cross and Red Crescent Society volunteers and staff, who tirelessly provide crucial aid and medical care, need safety to carry out their lifesaving work. Their protection without impediment is paramount.

We mourn the loss of our dedicated personnel. At the same time, we use this moment to hold their unwavering commitment as a beacon of humanity’s highest ideals. As IFRC Governing Board members, we unite in urging political solutions to safeguard civilians, and to ensure the protection of humanitarian aid workers for a path towards lasting peace and stability.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Today U.S. Mission Uganda observes World Malaria Day to reaffirm our commitment to support Ugandans in the fight against malaria. Through the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) and other collaborations, we are working closely with local partners to eliminate malaria and improve health outcomes.

Launched in 2005, the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) supports implementation of malaria prevention and treatment measures as well as cross-cutting interventions. PMI’s 2021-2026 strategy titled “End Malaria Faster” envisions a world free of malaria with the goal of preventing malaria cases, reducing malaria deaths and illness, and eliminating malaria in PMI partner countries.

Today, Ambassador Popp attended World Malaria Day events in Namutumba District to highlight U.S. government investments in malaria prevention and response. This work is implemented by the U.S. Peace Corps and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through partners Holistic Initiative to Community Development (HOLD) and John Snow Inc. (JSI). Working through host organizations, Peace Corps Volunteers reach vulnerable households through evidence-based interventions.

During his visits across Uganda, Ambassador Popp has engaged with community leaders, healthcare workers, and local residents to discuss the challenges of malaria control and explore innovative solutions. He has observed firsthand the impact of U.S.-funded initiatives, such as the distribution of insecticide-treated nets and the provision of life-saving treatments and diagnostics.

Malaria remains a significant public health concern in Uganda, causing illness and death, particularly among children and pregnant women. U.S. Mission Uganda has been a key partner in providing technical and financial assistance to Uganda’s malaria control efforts.

Through the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative and USAID in Uganda, we have:

supported the training of 4,000 Ugandans in indoor residual spraying.
protected 3.2 million residents in 770,000 houses from malaria with the distribution of 2.5 million mosquito nets.
supplied 5 million testing and treatment kits to health facilities.

These efforts have led to a significant reduction in malaria cases and deaths.

U.S Mission Uganda is proud of the work we are doing with our partners to create malaria-free households where no child or pregnant woman dies because of malaria; where communities and health facilities have the medicines they need to save lives; and where there are enough trained health workers to properly diagnose and treat each Ugandan infected with malaria.

This World Malaria Day is an opportunity for us to reflect on the progress we have made together and to recommit to the actions needed to reduce malaria deaths and eliminate malaria as a public health threat.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of U.S. Embassy in Uganda.