As Uganda joined the rest of the world to commemorate World Children’s Day, this year’s celebration held under the theme “Invest in Uganda’s Children for a Better Future” showcased the remarkable creativity and innovation young people can achieve when they are empowered and supported.
Dr. Robin Nandy underscored the value of listening to and investing in children.
“When we invest in children, we invest in Uganda’s future. And when we listen to children, we hear real solutions to the challenges communities face,” he said.
“These are not abstract ideas they are workable innovations created by young people themselves,” he noted, applauding the 24 national finalists present at the event.
Nandy further reflected on the significance of World Children’s Day, which marks the 1959 Declaration of the Rights of the Child and the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by Uganda in 1990.
“It is one of the most widely endorsed UN conventions in history. Today, we celebrate your rights,” he told the children.
He said every child is entitled to healthcare, education, and protection and that safeguarding these rights is a collective duty.
While acknowledging progress, such as improved access to health services, education, and immunization, Nandy cautioned that significant gaps remain.
Four million youth aged 18–29 are out of school, training, or employment; One in four adolescent girls experiences teenage pregnancy sometimes repeatedly while Only 6% of children who start primary school complete secondary education safely.
He praised the Kyabazinga of Busoga for championing the fight against teenage pregnancy and stressed that Uganda’s youthful population—over 50% under 18—should be seen not as a burden but as a powerful opportunity to drive national development.
Speaking on behalf of the EU, Karolina Hedström reaffirmed Europe’s commitment to nurturing Uganda’s young population.
“Today we celebrate not only children but also their rights, their voices, and their tremendous potential to shape the future,” she said.
Hedström noted that empowering children to innovate builds stronger communities, adding that innovation is not limited to technology.
“It is also about giving young people the confidence to imagine a better world—and the tools to build it.”
Representing the Ministry of Education and Sports, Dr. Cleophas Mugenyi echoed the central message of the day.
“On World Children’s Day, we reaffirm our commitment to Uganda’s most precious resource: our children. Investing in them is not just a moral duty; it is a strategic necessity.”
He emphasised that strengthening education, healthcare, and child protection is essential to building a stable and prosperous Uganda, in line with the ministry’s vision of quality education, training, and sports for all.
Kyabazinga of Busoga shared his admiration for Uganda’s young innovators.
“As a father and a leader, I have seen the extraordinary potential within our children. And today, that potential is on full display,” he said.
He praised the 24 innovators, whose projects span Arua, Soroti, Fort Portal, and Kampala, noting that they had transformed waste into food gardens, created solutions for struggling schools, turned pollution into clean energy, and built spaces that promote healing and opportunity.
“These achievements may seem small, but they are the building blocks of a future where innovation thrives, our environment is protected, and every child has the chance to learn and grow.”
He urged the youth never to underestimate their ideas, reminding them that their voices matter and encouraging them to dream boldly and persistently.
