According to Professor Tarsis Kabwegyere, Minister for General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister, the programme will ensure that children realize their rights throughout their lives and have the opportunity to fulfill their potential as productive adults.

Professor Kabwegyere, who represented the Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, was meeting a delegation of UNICEF Officials headed by the Deputy Executive Director Omar Abdi, at a  meeting which took place at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kampala.  They discussed the situation of children in the country and also the partnership between the Government of Uganda and UNICEF, in particular in the areas of nutrition and emergency preparedness and response.

UNICEF collaborates with the Office of the Prime Minister in a number of areas which include nutrition, emergency preparedness and equity-based programming in the most deprived areas of the country, particularly in Karamoja.

Professor Kabwegyere informed the delegation that the NRM Government remains committed to improve the situation and welfare of the people.

He pointed out UNICEF’s outstanding technical support in human development, to support the most deprived communities such as Karamoja.

The head of the visiting UNICEF delegation Omar Abdi, commended the Prime Minister for his leadership and coordination between the Government of Uganda and the UN Country Team. He also commended Government for establishing a ‘Delivery Unit’ to strengthen accountability across government institutions. The Director, Policy Implementation and Coordination in the Office of the Prime Minister Ssansa Mugenyi, spoke highly about the Uganda Government partnership with UNICEF. He said breastfeeding for six months has increased from 53% in 2006 to 62% in 2011, and is intended to increase to 75% by end of 2016.