Ugandan Media Consulted for National Review on Sustainable Development Goals Progress

n a bid to comprehensively assess Uganda’s progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the United Nations Association of Uganda (UNAU), in collaboration with its partners, convened a consultation engagement with journalists. The objective was to solicit their insights and perspectives for inclusion in the forthcoming Voluntary National Review (VNR) Report, slated for presentation in July 2024 at the global stage in New York.

Richard Baguma Tinkasimiire, UNAU Secretary General and member of the Global Executive of the World Federation of the United Nations Associations, emphasized the critical role of the media in shaping the discourse around sustainable development. Historically, the media’s voice has been overlooked in such assessments, both within Uganda and on a global scale. Baguma stressed the importance of integrating media perspectives, particularly regarding Goal 16, which centers on freedom of the press and effective governance.

Acknowledging the media’s pivotal role, Baguma highlighted its ability to raise awareness, foster understanding, and ignite community-level discussions on sustainable development challenges and solutions. Moreover, he underscored the media’s capacity to hold power structures accountable and mobilize public support for SDG initiatives.

Linda Asaba, UNAU’s programs coordinator, echoed Baguma’s sentiments, urging mainstream and social media outlets to embrace their responsibility of speaking truth to power. She noted a perceived shortfall in media contributions to sustainable development, citing factors such as limited resources, commercial pressures, and political interference as significant impediments.

During the consultation, journalists outlined several challenges hindering their work, including shrinking media space, threats from authorities, lack of awareness, and resource constraints. Additionally, the complexity of sustainable development issues poses a barrier to effective reporting.

Despite these challenges, Uganda has made strides towards SDG attainment, ranking 18th out of 52 African countries in progress toward the goals. However, there remain areas of concern, with the country falling short on targets related to poverty reduction, gender equality, and environmental sustainability.

The SDGs encompass a broad spectrum of objectives, ranging from eradicating poverty and hunger to promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions. As Uganda strives to accelerate progress towards these goals, the collaboration between UNAU and the media underscores the importance of inclusive dialogue and collective action in achieving sustainable development for all.