Denis Francis, the President of the 78th UN General Assembly, praised Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) for its Girls Empowering Girls (GEG) program during a field visit to Nakivubo Primary School. The GEG initiative, funded by the Belgium government through UNICEF and implemented by KCCA, focuses on empowering young girls, ensuring a safe transition into adulthood, and providing education and training opportunities.
Francis lauded the Ugandan government and KCCA for their commitment to the program, expressing gratitude to UNICEF and Belgium for their support. Hugues Chantry, the Ambassador of Belgium to Uganda, reaffirmed Belgium’s commitment to the project.
Minister of State for Youth and Children, Sarah Nyirabashitsi Mateke, commended KCCA and the Belgium government, emphasizing Uganda’s dedication to meeting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets. She highlighted the integration of social protection in the National Development Plan III, aiming to build a system contributing to poverty reduction and resilience.
Mateke acknowledged challenges, citing limited financing, but outlined Uganda’s goal to expand social assistance coverage to at least 10% of the vulnerable population by 2030. The government is also working on a National Health Insurance system.
Dorothy Kisaka, the KCCA executive director, shared the success story of the GEG program, benefiting 3000 girls since its inception in 2019. Achievements include the transfer of sh4.3bn to beneficiaries, providing sh60,000 per month to each child. The unique approach of small cash transfers through mobile money supports parents and guardians in purchasing essential items, ensuring girls stay in school.
The Girls Empowering Girls program, a beacon of hope for empowering future leaders, achieved a remarkable 98% transition of girls from primary to secondary school in 2023. Additionally, 52% of out-of-school girls enrolled in the program voluntarily returned to school and successfully remained enrolled.
