GULU – On December 16, 2015, the United States Government in partnership with the Government of Uganda and Gulu district leadership hosted over 300 participants at the first Regional Forum on the State of the Ugandan Child with special focus on challenges faced by children in northern Uganda.

Other regional fora will be held in Mbarara (January 13, 2016), Mbale (January 16, 2016) and Fort-Portal (February 4, 2016).

The one-day forum held at the Acholi Inn in Gulu town, brought together participants from both the private and public sectors, including district and local government officials, child rights advocates,  civil society organizations, religious leaders,  development partners, media and other key stakeholders. Nyoya District LC V Mr. Patrick Okello Oryema and the USAID Deputy Mission Director, Mr. Mark Meassick also attended the event. 

Key presentations by child rights experts from Acholi sub-region committed to the well-being of children highlighted challenges to child development, including the areas of health, nutrition, girls’ education, child protection, and the justice system. Participants also heard testimonies from: sixteen-year old Amolo Jennifer, a nodding syndrome survivor from Lira District; Queene Bianca, a child born in rebel captivity; fifteen-year old Franca Adong who was born with HIV; and sixteen year-old Franca Akello from Gulu, who spoke about her challenging experience as a teenage mother.

Participants pledged their commitment to support the draft National Action Plan for Child Well-Being in their region and in Uganda as a whole. The draft Action Plan seeks to provide a clear direction for collective efforts to build a Uganda in which all children can survive, grow and develop to their full potential.

The U.S Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), called on all stakeholders at various levels to play a role in the transformational shift that is necessary for Uganda’s children to thrive and ensure that no child is left behind.