The Kingdom of Buganda, through the Buganda Investment and Commercial Undertaking Ltd (BICUL), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Buganda Parliament to strengthen efforts toward improving the well-being and protection of over 4.2 million children in the region.
The partnership seeks to combine Buganda’s strong community structures and cultural influence with UNICEF’s global expertise to ensure every child in the Kingdom survives, thrives, and reaches their full potential. It is inspired by the traditional Buganda value of Bulungi Bwansi—working for the common good—reflecting the principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Katikkiro of Buganda, Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga, said the collaboration will boost child health, education, and protection.
“The way a community takes care of its children determines its future. We value this partnership with UNICEF because it enables us to ensure children’s health and nutrition, keep them in school, and protect them from violence. Working together allows us to extend our efforts across education, immunization, and health to secure the next generation of Buganda,” he said.
The MoU focuses on four key areas: child survival, quality education, child protection, and behaviour change. It outlines commitments to scale up immunization, promote early childhood development, end child marriage and abuse, and empower young people to advocate for their rights.
UNICEF Representative Dr. Robin Nandy hailed the agreement as a major step for children in Buganda and Uganda.
“This Memorandum of Understanding is a promise to the children of Buganda. We will be a reliable, transparent, and respectful partner, ensuring every resource leads to tangible improvements,” he said.
A Joint Steering Committee will guide implementation, monitor progress, and document successful models for replication across other regions.
