Uganda’s latest SDG Bulletin for Q3 2025 highlights a dynamic quarter of action, both on the global stage and at home, in pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). During July -September 2025, Uganda reaffirmed its leadership in sustainable development at major international forums, launched innovative partnerships for financing and refugee support, and energized national and grassroots initiatives. This period saw high-level engagements at the United Nations, strengthened national coordination, and vibrant youth and civil society involvement, all geared toward accelerating progress on Agenda 2030. With just five years left to 2030, Uganda’s efforts, aligned with regional commitments like the Kampala Declaration and new global frameworks such as the UN’s Pact for the Future, underscore an urgent, inclusive push to leave no one behind.
In July 2025, Uganda’s delegation led by Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja took center stage at the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in New York. The 2025 HLPF carried special significance: it marked the UN’s 80th anniversary and the midpoint toward 2030, under the theme “Advancing Sustainable, Inclusive, Science- and Evidence-Based Solutions for the 2030 Agenda: Leaving No One Behind.” Uganda’s leaders delivered a clear message that the country is committed to accelerating SDG progress despite global crises.
Uganda also hosted two impactful side events in collaboration with the UN and partners during the HLPF, sharing its experiences and rallying support for Africa’s development priorities. The first side event was under the theme, “Scaling Up Private Investments to Address Africa’s Priorities.” The second side event was under the theme, “Mobilizing Global and Regional Collaborations to Accelerate Socio-Economic Transformation in Africa” which focused on translating Africa’s shared commitments from the Eleventh Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD-11) into concrete action.
Uganda carried this momentum into September during the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). A high-level delegation from the Office of the Prime Minister, led by Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba – Minister for General Duties, engaged in a series of events on the sidelines of UNGA to advance Uganda’s development priorities and forge partnerships. These engagements projected Uganda’s leadership in inclusive, data-driven development, as well as in key areas like sustainable housing and refugee management. Ugandan officials ensured the country was well represented in UNGA sessions and took every opportunity to strengthen international collaboration.
Uganda’s longstanding commitment to refugee welfare was a centerpiece of its UNGA engagements. On September 24, 2025, Uganda in partnership with NGO GiveDirectly, hosted a high-level side event themed “Uganda’s Leadership on Refugee Self-Reliance and Cash Transfers.” This forum showcased Uganda’s pioneering use of cash-based assistance and self-reliance models to support refugees. Uganda, which hosts one of the largest refugee populations in the world, has earned recognition as a global leader in inclusive and sustainable refugee response systems. The side event highlighted how Uganda integrates humanitarian and development approaches, allowing refugees to build livelihoods and communities rather than rely solely on aid.
Youth empowerment was another prominent theme of Uganda’s UNGA week. On September 23, 2025, Uganda’s SDG Secretariat partnered with the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Youth initiative to co-host a Global Intergenerational Dialogue as part of the UN Youth Office’s #YouthLead Forum. This unique event brought together Ugandan government representatives, youth innovators, and international negotiators in a conversation about how young people can shape global policy in transformative ways. Uganda’s role in convening this global youth dialogue reflects its broader commitment to intergenerational partnership. By elevating youth voices on international platforms, Uganda is helping to shape a future global agenda, including contributing to conversations around a forthcoming Pact for the Future, that fully recognizes the creativity and energy of young people in solving today’s challenges.
The Quarterly National SDG Taskforce Meeting was convened in August. The meeting reviewed Uganda’s recent global engagements, including hosting ARFSD-11, participation in the 2025 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), and the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), and resolved to translate lessons from these events into actionable strategies. Central to this was the integration of the Kampala Declaration, HLPF Ministerial Declaration, and FfD4 outcomes into the upcoming Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV) and the National SDG Implementation Roadmap (2025 – 2030).
Through five Private Sector SDG Platform meetings held in September 2025, stakeholders from government, businesses, civil society, and development partners co-created a governance framework for operationalizing the platform launched in 2021. A major highlight was the adoption of the Economic Media Platform (ECONOPLAT), a digital ecosystem developed by TandaHub, to connect investments, enterprises, and employment opportunities in real time.
Equally critical to Uganda’s progress is its growing capacity for data-driven decision-making. In July 2025, the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) convened a national SDG Data Technical Working Group meeting to assess progress in data production and identify remaining gaps. The country’s achievements are remarkable: validated data now exists for 148 of 201 SDG indicators, shrinking the data gap to 26%, a dramatic improvement from 45 indicators in 2016.
Beyond policy and data, Uganda’s SDG story continues to be powered by its people, especially youth, civil society, and community groups. The National CSO Convention 2025, held under the theme “The Future of Civil Society in Uganda: The Law, The Money, and Politics”, reaffirmed the role of civil society as a vital partner in achieving the SDGs. Dr. Albert Byamugisha, Head of the National SDG Secretariat, underscored the need for stronger partnerships, an enabling legal framework, and sustainable financing for NGO operations. Meanwhile, youth engagement reached new heights. The Youth Model United Nations Conference gathered over 100 students to debate issues linking health, environment, and sustainability under the theme “Youth for a Healthy Planet.” Similarly, the Youth Coalition for SDGs hosted national “X Spaces” dialogues attracting over 650 participants, where discussions spanned peacebuilding, entrepreneurship, and climate innovation.
The SDGs in Schools Initiative, launched in six Kampala secondary schools, further embeded sustainable development principles in the classroom. Under the theme “Empowering Students to Apply Competence-Based Learning through SDG Action in Schools,” students formed 36 SDG Action Clusters addressing issues like climate change, health, gender equality, and entrepreneurship. Over 2,000 students participated, demonstrating how education can serve as a springboard for civic responsibility and innovation.
