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President of the 78th UN General Assembly, Denis Francis, has acknowledged the commendable efforts of Kampala Capital City Authority in empowering young girls through the Girls Empowering Girls (GEG) program. The initiative, funded by Belgium through UNICEF and implemented by KCCA, focuses on providing education, training opportunities, and empowerment for girls.

Denis Francis, the President of the 78th United Nations General Assembly speaking to KCCA ED Dorothy Kisaka at Nakivubo Primary School in Kampala on Saturday 20th January 2024

Denis Francis, the President of the 78th United Nations General Assembly, has acknowledged the commendable efforts of the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) in empowering young girls through the Girls Empowering Girls (GEG) program.

President Francis conducted a field visit to Nakivubo Primary School in Kampala on Saturday, January 20, to witness the significant impact of the GEG program. This initiative, organized by UNICEF Uganda, showcased its success in addressing the challenges faced by urban girls in Uganda through social protection measures.

Funded by the Belgian government through UNICEF and implemented by KCCA, the GEG program is specifically designed for children. It aims to ensure a secure transition into adulthood for girls by providing education and training opportunities, empowering them to achieve their goals.

Denis Francis, the President of the 78th United Nations General Assembly at Nakivubo Primary School in Kampala on Saturday 20th January 2024

During the visit, President Francis praised the exceptional commitment of the Ugandan government and KCCA to the program. He expressed gratitude to UNICEF and Belgium for their support, emphasizing the United Nations’ support for this empowering program.

Hugues Chantry, the Ambassador of Belgium to Uganda, was also present, reaffirming Belgium’s commitment to the success of the Girls Empowering Girls project.

Minister of State for Youth and Children, Sarah Nyirabashitsi Mateke, lauded KCCA and the Belgian government for their support, underscoring Uganda’s dedication to meeting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets. She emphasized the integration of social protection in the National Development Plan III.

Denis Francis, the President of the 78th United Nations General Assembly

Mateke acknowledged challenges, including limited financing, with 20.3% of the population living in poverty and only a 2.9% coverage of social protection due to insufficient funds. Nevertheless, she outlined Uganda’s commitment to expanding social assistance coverage to at least 10% of the vulnerable population by 2030, along with efforts to establish a National Health Insurance system.

Dorothy Kisaka, the KCCA Executive Director, shared the success story of the Girls Empowering Girls program, initiated in 2019 and benefiting 3000 girls. Kisaka highlighted achievements, including the transfer of sh4.3bn to beneficiaries through caregivers, providing sh60,000 per month to each child.

The unique approach of offering small cash transfers through mobile money has enabled parents and guardians to purchase essential items, ensuring that girls can stay in school.

Regarding the Girls Empowering Girls program, it stands as a beacon of hope for empowering the future leaders of Uganda, demonstrating the positive impact of international collaboration in addressing critical social issues. In 2023, the program achieved a remarkable 98% transition of girls from primary to secondary school among participating institutions. Additionally, 52% of out-of-school girls enrolled in the program voluntarily returned to school and have successfully remained enrolled.