By Diana N.Kintu
Uganda joined the rest of the world today in marking World Children’s Day with colourful national celebrations dedicated to advancing children’s rights, amplifying young voices, and celebrating innovative solutions created by young people themselves. This year’s festivities took place at Kololo Secondary School playgrounds and were graced by His Royal Highness the Kyabazinga of Busoga, King William Nadiope IV, who served as the guest of honour.
The annual day, observed globally every November 20 to commemorate the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, provided an opportunity for Uganda to renew its commitment to ensuring that every child grows up safe, healthy, educated, and empowered to reach their full potential.
A major highlight of the celebration was the i-UpShift Bootcamp finals, an innovative youth programme that brought together school-going children and out-of-school youth from various regions of the country. Participants showcased social-impact projects designed to address real problems in their communities—from environmental conservation and hygiene improvements to technology-based solutions and ideas that promote equality and inclusion. The presentations demonstrated the creativity, innovation, and leadership potential of Uganda’s young generation.
Senior government officials, education leaders, development partners, and children’s advocates attended the event and reiterated the need for stronger investments in child welfare. Representing the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Goloba Rogers noted that children make up more than half of Uganda’s population and remain the country’s most valuable human resource. He urged parents, teachers, communities, and partners to strengthen collective responsibility in safeguarding children’s rights and addressing persistent challenges such as inequality, harmful cultural practices, and violence against children.
“The future of Uganda lies in the well-being of its children,” Rogers emphasised, calling for coordinated and bold action to ensure that every child can grow up in a safe and enabling environment.
Efforts to keep girls in school received notable recognition. Cleophas Mugenyi, Commissioner for Teacher Education and Standards at the Ministry of Education and Sports, highlighted the government’s continued investment in expanding learning opportunities and improving education outcomes. He stressed that children are the foundation of the nation’s development and called for sustained commitment to ensure that every girl and boy learns, progresses, and thrives.
International development partners also expressed solidarity with Uganda’s children. Ambassador Maria Håkansson of Sweden commended Uganda for its progress and reaffirmed Sweden’s support for programmes that promote children’s rights, learning, and protection. She applauded youth-led innovation showcased at the event, describing young people as drivers of a more sustainable and inclusive future.
Throughout the celebrations, leaders delivered messages of encouragement directly to the young people in attendance. Children were urged to stay curious, remain eager to learn, participate actively in shaping their communities, and use their voices to speak up for their rights and aspirations. They were reminded of their resilience, talent, and central role in Uganda’s continued social and economic transformation.
As the country concluded this year’s events, the message was clear—protecting children and amplifying their potential is not only a moral responsibility but also a strategic national investment. The 2025 World Children’s Day celebrations reaffirmed Uganda’s united commitment to safeguarding the rights, potential, and well-being of every child, ensuring they survive, thrive, and contribute to the nation’s prosperity.