KAMPALA, Uganda – Experts and government officials on Tuesday issued a strong call for urgent action on Early Childhood Development (ECD) in Uganda, citing critical developmental gaps among young children that threaten the nation’s future human capital.
The push came during a High-Level Breakfast Meeting on Early Childhood Development in Kampala, themed “Renewed Action – Reaffirming Commitment to ECD as a Catalyst Towards Human Capital Development and the SDGs.” The event underscored the critical need for immediate interventions to address alarming data on child development.
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Dr. Robin Nandy, UNICEF Representative in Uganda, highlighted the urgency with stark figures: only 35% of Ugandan children aged 48-59 months are developmentally on track, 1 in 4 are stunted, and the under-five mortality rate remains high at 52 deaths per 1,000 live births. He commended Uganda’s policy advancements but stressed that more impactful steps are required.
“The cost of inaction is high. ECD is not a luxury; it’s a necessity for national progress and equity,” Nandy said, advocating for increased public investment. He pointed to significant economic returns, noting that every 1 shilling invested in quality ECD can yield up to 16 shillings through improved school readiness, higher earnings, and job creation.
Aggrey Kibenge, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, acknowledged Uganda’s efforts in strengthening local capacity and integrating ECD into development plans. However, he concurred with the need for urgent action, citing ongoing challenges such as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, continued child development regression, high teen pregnancy rates, and persistent funding gaps.
“These realities demand a stronger policy response and renewed investment in early learning and care systems,” Kibenge stated, reaffirming his ministry’s commitment to leading this work with urgency and accountability.
Dr. Safina Mutumba, an official with the Ministry of Education and Sports, emphasized that ECD directly improves learning outcomes, noting that children with early development exposure start school more confident and focused. She detailed ongoing progress under the Integrated ECD Policy, including multisector coordination and improved health information systems.
Oliver Petrovic, the Early Childhood Development Regional Advisor for UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa, reinforced the profound impact of early childhood experiences on brain development, cautioning that missing this critical window is costly. He explained that quality ECD programs are vital for reducing dropout rates, boosting academic success, and promoting mental well-being, reiterating the immense returns on investment.
Dr. Hamis Mugendawala, the Manager for Policy Research and Innovation at the National Planning Authority (NPA) Uganda, provided context from the mid-term review of the previous National Development Plan (NDP III), which revealed a mere 15% ECD access rate in 2018. This highlighted the inadequacy of past approaches and underscored the need for greater government involvement in the upcoming NDP IV. Mugendawala stressed that Uganda must invest smarter, prioritizing high-impact areas like ECD, and called for stronger institutional support across all levels of governance.
As Uganda prepares to implement its National Costed Multi-Sectoral ECD Strategy (2025–2030) and the fourth National Development Plan, experts and officials collectively urged for expanded free pre-primary education, national childcare standards, and improved coordination to secure the future well-being and potential of the nation’s youngest citizens.
