It has come to light that the lack of awareness is hindering progress towards achieving these Sustainable Development Goals (SNGs).
This was revealed during a stakeholder’s forum for Northern Uganda held at Pauline Hotels, Lira City, where different stakeholders presented their ideas and suggestions to the Minister for General Duties in the office of the Prime Minister, Justine Kasule Lumumba.
Agnes Gillian Ocitti, a senior Programme Advisor at Royal Danish Embassy, acknowledged that most people are not informed about SDGs, which leaves them behind. She emphasized the need for more awareness to be created around the SDGs so that everyone can play their part in achieving them.
Lira City Mayor Sam Atul noted that poverty is still prevalent in many communities noting that it is only a small fraction of companies who are making good profits. He urged the government to prioritize involving the private sector in efforts to fight poverty.
Kibirire Deogracious, the director of the Chamber of Commerce Lira , echoed Mayor Atul’s sentiments and called on the office of the Prime Minister to involve the private sector more in efforts to end poverty.
In response, Minister Lumumba urged members of the community to take responsibility for sensitizing others about the SDGs. She also called upon cultural institutions to play critical roles in implementing the SDGs, especially in the areas of poverty reduction and gender equality.
The Sustainable Development Goals were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all people by 2030.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development sets crucial targets for eliminating poverty, establishing social security systems, and preventing people from falling back into poverty.
As the Government of Uganda through the office of the Prime Minister gears up for the implementation of the SDGs, it is clear that more awareness needs to be created among the population.
It is debatable weather the country will be able to achieve these ambitious goals by 2030.
The 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) to transform our world includes:
