The Embassy of Iceland in Kampala and UNICEF have signed an 18-month partnership worth $1 million (about Shs 3.6 billion) aimed at empowering vulnerable adolescent mothers to access multi-sectoral and inclusive social protection, early childhood development and parenting support services.

According to the press statement, the partnership will allow UNICEF to link teenage mothers to protection, health, education, childcare and skilling services; provide mentorship and life skills to teenage mothers; support low-cost early childhood education (ECD) models in targeted communities and establish mobile early childhood development units and disability-inclusive ECD kits to provide early learning opportunities for children in hard-to-reach communities. 

The initiative, targeting Kyegegwa and Kikuube districts in western Uganda, comes with a focus on multi-sectoral and inclusive social protection, early childhood development (ECD), and parenting support services. Under this program, at least 1,000 adolescent mothers aged 12-19 years will gain access to education or vocational skills, while 2,000 of their children will benefit from both formal and non-formal early learning opportunities.

Speaking at the signing event, the Head of Mission, Embassy of Iceland to Uganda, Hildigunnur Engilbertsdóttir noted that the programme will extend financial support to each beneficiary child monthly.  

“Iceland is committed to empowering young mothers to enable them to learn, acquire skills, and be protected from harmful practices. This conditional cash transfer is linked to the adolescent mother’s participation in learning and her child’s involvement in ECD interventions, including ECD centres/early learning for children (aged 3-5 years) and referral to childcare services for children (aged 0-2 years). We strongly believe that these cash transfers will alleviate a young mother’s burden by supporting access to childcare services so she can return to school or seek employment,” Engilbertsdóttir further noted. 

Dr Robin Nandy, UNICEF Representative to Uganda, hailed the partnership as a crucial step toward sustainable change:

“This agreement signifies the shared commitment of UNICEF and the Icelandic Government to prioritize the needs of children and communities in Uganda. With Iceland’s generous support, we will be able to scale up our efforts to address critical challenges, strengthen systems, and create lasting change for adolescent mothers and their children. Every child deserves a fair chance at a brighter future, and today’s partnership brings us closer to achieving that goal,” he said.

The Embassy of Iceland and UNICEF have a history of impactful collaboration. Since 2019, their partnership has improved access to water, sanitation, and hygiene in schools and health facilities in refugee-hosting districts. 

With this funding, UNICEF and Iceland aim to empower communities with the tools and resources they need to create a better future for children in Uganda by investing in innovative approaches and community-driven solutions aimed at contributing to Uganda’s achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By URN / The Observer

The death toll from landslides triggered by torrential rains in eastern Uganda has risen to 20, with more than 100 still missing, the Red Cross said on Friday.

"The death toll has risen to 20, following the retrieval of 19 bodies and the unfortunate passing of one survivor at the hospital," the Uganda Red Cross Society said in an update on X.

The landslides have affected several villages including Masugu, Namachele, Natola, Namagugu, and Tagalu in Buluganya sub-county, Bulambuli district, some 300 kilometers (180 miles), east of the capital Kampala.

Locals are digging through the mud using hand hoes and other elementary tools in search of missing loved ones.

The relief organization said 1,540 persons and 220 houses have been affected, while 125 homes have been totally destroyed. As many as 750 people have been displaced.

Emergency responders are working to provide aid and support to those affected, according to officials.

In an earlier statement, police said rescue operations were being hindered by impassable roads, which are preventing vehicles, including ambulances and wheel loaders, from reaching the scene.

The East African nation has been hit by unusually heavy rainfall since October that has triggered widespread flooding and landslides in different parts of the country.

In a message late Thursday, Prime Minister Nabbanjah Robinah condoled with the families of the victims. She said medium and long-term solutions have been developed to prevent such disasters, and called upon local leaders and residents in disaster-prone areas across the country to collaborate with the government to avert such occurrences in the future. By Hamza Kyeyune and Serdar Dincel, Anadolu Agency

Renowned lawyer and Pan-Africanist P.L.O. Lumumba has criticized Africa’s failure to fully leverage technology, emphasizing its potential to transform the continent’s development and global competitiveness.

Speaking during a keynote address at the African Talent Campus in Kisumu on Saturday, Lumumba lamented Africa’s sluggish adoption of technological advancements. The event was hosted in collaboration with the GATES Africa Training Centre and the Management University of Africa (MUA).

“If Africa today is lagging behind, it is because she is not consuming the technology that she ought to consume,” Lumumba stated.

Missed Revolutions

He highlighted Africa’s missed opportunities during the first and second industrial revolutions, noting that the continent has yet to catch up.

“In my opinion, Africa has not even gone through the agrarian revolution. If you look at how we till our land, it is the same way Adam and Eve did. If you look at how we plough our fields, it is the same way Abraham in the Bible did,” Lumumba said.

He called for urgent technological adoption across all sectors, stressing that technology is critical for Africa to compete globally and ensure no one is left behind.

Learning from Others

Lumumba urged Africa to draw lessons from other nations, citing the Dutch as an example of using technology to combat floods.

“Why should floods still displace families in this era of technological advancements? It is high time we replicate technologies used in other parts of the world, such as the Netherlands, to address our challenges,” he said.

Building Capabilities in Science and Technology

Lumumba advocated for the continent to leap forward by prioritizing science and technology as key drivers of progress.

“There is a saying: ‘Competition is the law of the jungle, and cooperation is the law of civilization.’ Africa must decide to embrace both to compete globally,” he added.

Calls for Talent-Based Education

Prof. Humphrey Oborah, GATES Africa’s Head of Mission, underscored the importance of talent-based training to equip graduates with skills to create opportunities.

“Let us identify the talents of our children at an early age so they can pursue careers that align with their strengths, rather than chasing unachievable dreams,” Prof. Oborah said.

Institutions Must Adapt

MUA Vice-Chancellor Prof. Washington Okeyo echoed these sentiments, urging higher learning institutions to align their programs with technological advancements to address Africa’s unique challenges.

“African problems can be resolved through innovative solutions taught in our universities. Everyone must adapt to the evolving technological landscape,” he said.

The conference concluded with a resounding call for Africa to embrace technology as a tool for transformation and to foster a competitive edge in the global arena. By Ojwang Joe, Capital News

Several journalists were brutalized as they covered the protests, which erupted in various parts of the country. Rights groups documented over 60 fatalities during the demonstrations, most of them caused by police gunfire.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has assured justice for journalists brutalized by police during the Gen Z protests in June, sparked by the Finance Bill.

Speaking on Thursday at the Kenya Editors Guild (KEG) Annual Convention in Nakuru, Kindiki promised to personally follow up on the case of Kameme TV journalist Catherine Wanjeri, who was shot and seriously injured by police.

“I undertake to follow up on this matter, and I can assure you that the perpetrator will face justice as soon as the new leadership of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is in place,” Kindiki said.

Several journalists were brutalized as they covered the protests, which erupted in various parts of the country.

Rights groups documented over 60 fatalities during the demonstrations, most of them caused by police gunfire.

But despite the grim toll, no charges have been brought against the law enforcers implicated in the deaths.

Kindiki emphasized the government’s commitment to holding the responsible officer accountable, stating, “We will establish who was responsible and ensure they are held to account.”

He also called for strengthened collaboration between the government and the media, emphasizing the need for open communication and mutual respect.

“I see no reason why we should not have an avenue for dialogue. Some of you work within government offices, including my own,” he said, underscoring the importance of upholding the rule of law and constitutional order.

“We will obey court orders. There should be no doubt or debate because we are a country governed by the rule of law,” Kindiki stated. Editorial, Capital News