Uganda
Uganda and Belgium have been partners for 31 years. Currently, Enabel supports Uganda to implement key priorities of its National Development Plan IV and the United Nations’s 2030 agenda for sustainable development.
Creating green and decent jobs for youth – WeWork
Every year, over 800,000 Ugandans enter the job market to compete for 70,000 available positions. This challenge is driven by factors such as a lack of relevant technical and soft skills, limited access to affordable finance and a shortage of job-generating businesses. To address these issues, Enabel is equipping 25,000 young people with essential skills and generating over 20,000 (self) employment opportunities.
The initiative tackles both the supply and demand sides of employment. By partnering with training institutions and the private sector, it ensures that skills development responds to labour market needs while promoting entrepreneurship and access to finance for youth and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The project also strengthens business development services for green growth and decent work and collaborates with more than 200 companies to provide graduates with their first work experience, helping them build the skills needed to transition successfully into employment.
Ensuring decent work and social protection for all
This regional initiative implemented in the Democratic Republic of Congo particularly aims to create decent employment opportunities for youth and women especially in the sectors of agriculture, tourism and green economy. It also aims to ensure adherence to the fundamental principles at work, increase access to social protection mechanism for families and promote dialogue between government, employers and workers on decent work.
Additionally, the project strengthens policy development and national dialogue on decent work through evidence-based policy development and regional networking.
Promoting human rights standards in business practices
Uganda is one of only two African countries to have developed and adopted a National Action Plan (NAP) on Business and Human Rights (BHR). The Advancing Respect for Human Rights in Businesses (ARBHR) project, implemented by Enabel and the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, represents the European Union’s support for the implementation of the NAP.
This project assists businesses in advancing respect for human rights in their operations and supply chains. It particularly seeks to reduce human rights abuses, especially those affecting women and children connected to business activities in Uganda. The project focuses on three themes: labour rights, natural resource governance, land rights, and digital rights and internet governance.
Improving access, retention and completion of quality secondary education – WeLearn/WeTeach
In Uganda, approximately 7 out 10 students drop out within the first four years of secondary education, making the country’s school dropout rate one of the highest globally. Enabel with support from Belgium and the European Union is actively working with Ministry of Education to tackle this challenge.
Enabel collaborates with families and communities to address sociocultural barriers to education, reduce educational costs and improve school infrastructure. The project also focuses on enhancing the quality of teaching and learning to improve student performance and works with local authorities to further strengthen school management.
Caring for Mothers’ Lives – WeCare
Every day, 16 mothers in Uganda lose their lives due to childbirth-related complications. To prevent these deaths, Enabel collaborates with the Ministry of Health to address the demand, supply and governance of healthcare services.
The initiative focuses on empowering communities to actively seek medical care, strengthening the emergency medical system and improving the quality of care in selected Health Centre IVs and General Hospitals. Additionally, Enabel and the Ministry of Health engage community members and local authorities in the management of health facilities, promoting shared accountability.
Training quality future health workers – WeTrain4Health
To meet the growing demand for healthcare services, Enabel works with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education and Sports to train quality health workers for the future.
This project focuses on improving the teaching skills of pedagogical personnel, providing institutional management support, and enhancing school infrastructure to create a conducive learning environment. It supports specific institutions; Fort Portal College of Health Sciences, Jinja School of Nursing and Midwifery, and Hoima School of Nursing and Midwifery.
Related content
Uganda has been a partner country of Belgian governmental cooperation since 2000, with Belgium supporting its development agenda through Enabel. The 2023–2028 cooperation programme, with a budget of 80 million euros, is aimed at strengthening the private sector, supporting employment, and strengthening the role of the state in guiding and facilitating progress. Enabel also implements actions for the account of the European Union, totaling 42 million euros and focusing on sustainable business development and lower secondary education.
Country brochure
Have a look at our projects in Uganda via the open.enabel platform.
Our projects in Uganda
Uganda – Focusing on new teaching methods and creating a stimulating learning environment makes a considerable difference for the quality of education.
Promoting active teaching and learning
Contact the Enabel team in Uganda
Lower Kololo Terrace, Plot 1B
PO BOX 40131 – Kampala
T +256 (0) 393 193 183 | uganda@enabel.be
Country Director: Nicolas Oebel
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