LocationsCelebrating the 2026 Europe Day: The EU–UNDP Partnership in Uganda
May 9, 2026
UNDP-EU partnership
On Europe Day, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Uganda recognizes the strong and impactful partnership with the European Union (EU) under the Joint UN Spotlight Initiative Gender for Development Programme, which has significantly advanced gender equality, the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and also delivered transformative change across Uganda’s artisanal and small-scale mining sector under the African Caribbean and Pacific Group of states (ACP) – European Union (EU) Development Minerals Programme.
Highlights of Achievements under the Joint UN Spotlight Initiative
The UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Nwanne Vwede Obahor (centre) with some of the youth that graduated with TVET skills in Tororo district.
Through EU support, critical GBV responsive policies, strategies, and services have been strengthened in the districts of Amudat; Arua, Terego, Kitgum, Kasese, Tororo, Kyegegwa, Omoro,Kampala, Gulu, Yumbe, Omoro, Otuke, Madi Okolo, Nebbi, Oyam, Lamwo and Adjumani.
EU has contributed to the development of the National Action Plan (NAP) on Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and capacity building of over 2,000 officials on TIP. Survivors have gained access to safe and spaces through local government based GBV shelters in Amudat, Terego, and Kasese.
“We previously received a lot of support from UNDP and EU in terms of trainings on vocational skills, and now for this GBV Shelter we say thank you because this is going to help us greatly as a community as it will give women a safe space incase they face Gender Based Violence.”Chepkomon Poulina, Mother from Amudat District.
Access to justice has been expanded through support to over 200 Local Council Courts across districts such as Otuke, Kitgum, Arua, Yumbe, Kampala, and Gulu, alongside capacity building of local Council (LC) I and II leaders in GBV case management, and provision of legal aid services reaching over 3,000 community members.
" At the start, I didn’t know which course to take because I was only interested in doing catering. But when i was taken to Tororo Technical Institute, I was introduced to a number of engineering courses like building and construction which I thought was for only men. But when I started the building course, I gradually developed interest in it. I never imagined I could become an engineer, but I ended up being one of the best students."Asero Babra, TVET Graduate
The partnership has also strengthened government systems for GBV-responsive planning, budgeting, and financing in 17 districts. Additionally, more than 2,000 out-of-school youth have been empowered through vocational training, digital and green skills, with many now running and earning incomes - contributing to reduced GBV risks. This has been complemented by strengthening 20 Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to deliver gender-responsive and GBV-sensitive training, ensuring sustainable and inclusive opportunities for young people across communities in Uganda.
A photo of youth who recently graduated with technical vocational skills from SMART Girls in Kampala
Highlights of Achievements under the joint ACP-EU Development Mineral Programme
With the generous support from the EU, the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme has delivered transformative change across Uganda's artisanal and small-scale mining sector, a sector that directly employs approximately 390,000 Ugandans, 44% of whom are women, and indirectly benefits more than 2.5 million people.
The Programme has strengthened the mining sector’s strategic contribution to national development through key policy and legislative reforms, geological mapping and reserve estimation, and digital platforms connecting miners to construction markets.
“I am so grateful to UNDP and EU for bringing this support to our community, we couldn’t even afford basic tools like hammers, and we had no capital at all. Thanks to the village savings group that UNDP helped us start, we have been able to borrow money and diversify our income. Now, I proudly own a restaurant, two rental properties and a quarry.”Comfort Okello- Artisanal miner in Gulu
It has also strengthened the capacities of mining communities across the country to formalize operations, add value and mine sustainably; created the much-needed jobs for women and youth through financing of innovative business models that create employment and opened new pathways for market access while pioneering the use of low-carbon construction materials for a more sustainable future.
Through collaboration with the EU-UN Spotlight initiative, the programme has bolstered efforts to combat gender-based violence in mining communities. This partnership stands as a compelling testament to what EU solidarity can achieve: unlocking opportunity, building resilience, and placing people at the heart of Uganda's development.
Comfort Akello (Centre, in red) sharing a light moment with her fellow miners at a quarry in northern Uganda