Joyce Namugambe
The goverment of Uganda through the National SDG Secretariate in the office of the prime minister, is set for the SDG festival in Kampala which is aimed at sensitizing and highlighting the SDGs to Ugandans as away of attracting them to take part and engage in interactive conversations that bring them together to attain the SDGs objectives.
The major objectives of the Festival is to provide a platform for creating awareness and promoting the localisation of the SDGs to the public, especially through providing interactive conversations about active participation of the ordinary citizens in realisation of the SDGs.
The SDG festival looks at adressing challenges on Uganda’s progress towards the SDGs and making sure that in the 7 remaining years, the 2030 Agenda will be attained. It will uphold the principal of Leave No One Behind, through ensuring inclusive participation of all citizens and stake holders.
On Thursday 10 August 2023, the festival will start with the SDG walk from the Kololo independence grounds at 9am, and the prime minister of Uganda the Rt. Hon Robbinah Nabbanja is expected to be the chief walker and the chief guest as well. There after the official ceremony will be officially opened at KCCA grounds in Lugogo, and in the afternoon, there shall be exhibitions, edutainment, and the citizens baraza.
On Friday 11 August 2023, the exhibitions, edutainment and other interactive activities will continue , covering arrange of topics about SDG acceleration and implementation. The festival will be both physical and virtual to carter for different audiences, the virtual sessions will carter for audiences through zoom, twitter, face book, televisions among others.
Plemenary discussions will be led by experts and stakeholders under themes such as, gender equality, poverty and inequality, climate change, peace, justice and strong institutions among others.
Entertainment, networking, workshops, free medical and legal services are all expected to be part of the festival.
The head of SDG secretariate Dr. Albert Byamugisha has called upon Ugandans to be part of the move, as the SDGs provide space and hope for an equitable and bright future.
The goverment of Uganda through the office of the prime minster is in collaboration with other partners to make sure that the festival and all SDG activities in Uganda are a success.
Partners include the prime minster of Uganda the Rt. Hon Robbinah Nabbanja, Uganda National NGO forum, United Nations in Uganda, Uganda police, Kampala Capital City Authority, SDG champions, civil society organisations, UN agencies, Universities, private sector foundation, media, among others, with support from the Royal Danish Embassy.
The festival, themed is “Harnessing Citizens’ Potential: Fostering Ownership, Expression, Enjoyment, and Innovation for SDGs,”
