Uganda's Coordination to accelerate SDGs. Dr Albert Byamugisha, Head National SDG Secretariat, OPM

In this inspiring episode of the Expert-Led Sessions Podcast, produced by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), host Onesmus Kansiime sits down with Dr. Albert Byamugisha, the Head of the National SDG Secretariat, for a powerful, insightful, and forward-looking conversation on how Uganda is accelerating Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) implementation. The discussion unpacks Uganda’s leadership in SDG coordination, the country’s progress under NDP III, the full alignment of the newly launched NDP IV, and the transformative commitments made under the Kampala Declaration, adopted at the Eleventh Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development in 2025. Recorded on 7th July 2025. Uganda continues to be a continental leader in integrating global development frameworks into national planning. This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at: • How 95% of SDG targets were integrated into NDP III, and 100% into NDP IV • How Uganda is operationalizing the Kampala Declaration, which calls for stronger SDG financing models, innovative partnerships, and integration of Africa’s Agenda 2063 • The critical role of data, evidence, and whole-of-government coordination in turning plans into real results for citizens • How Uganda’s SDG framework has evolved since the Secretariat was established in 2019 in response to oversight and accountability calls Key Highlights From the Conversation 1. SDG Integration Into Uganda’s National Planning & Budgeting Systems Dr. Byamugisha explains how Uganda established a strong institutional architecture to embed SDGs into national policy frameworks, including: • The National SDG Coordination Framework (2016) led by OPM • Establishment of the National SDG Secretariat (2019) as the national coordination hub • Key Technical Working Groups (Planning, Data, Financing, Communications, M&E) • Sector and Local Government alignment to the SDGs and Agenda 2063 This ensures that SDGs are not abstract global aspirations, but actual pillars influencing annual budgets, sector strategies, and frontline service delivery. 2. Strengthened Monitoring, Evaluation & Data Use for Decision-Making Uganda’s SDG tracking system stands among the strongest in Africa. The episode highlights: • UBOS-led SDG Data Framework • Localized monitoring through the PDMIS, district dashboards, and citizen Barazas • Evidence-based policy shifts—such as school re-entry policies and maternal health resource allocation—driven by real-time data Dr. Byamugisha emphasizes that data tells the truth, and Uganda’s shift to digital, geospatial, and advanced analytics is revolutionizing the national planning ecosystem. 3. Operationalizing the Kampala Declaration (2025) The Kampala Declaration commits Uganda and African member states to: • Mobilize sustainable domestic financing • Strengthen data systems • Integrate Agenda 2063 • Drive whole-of-government and whole-of-society action • Implement the outcomes of the Pact for the Future Uganda has already translated these commitments into action through: • The Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) • Exploration of green bonds, diaspora bonds, and blended finance • Strengthening private sector platforms like ECONOPLAT • Deepening CSO engagement through the SDG Core Reference Group 4. Uganda’s Global and Regional Leadership During the conversation, Dr. Byamugisha highlights Uganda’s SDG leadership roles: • Hosting ARFSD-11 (2025) • Producing three Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) • Championing SDG localization, financing reform, and digital transformation • Leading the dissemination and implementation of the Kampala Declaration across Africa This expert-led session is more than a policy conversation — it is a practical masterclass on: • Governance innovation • National transformation • Evidence-based policy • Financing models for sustainable development • How institutions can deliver real results for citizens Whether you are a public servant, development practitioner, student, policy leader, journalist, or simply passionate about Africa’s future — this is a session you don’t want to miss. • Uganda SDGs • Kampala Declaration • NDP IV Uganda • Sustainable Development Goals Africa • SDG coordination Uganda • OPM Uganda expert-led sessions • Africa Public Service Day • Uganda development planning • Voluntary National Review Uganda • Agenda 2063 Uganda • SDG financing Africa • UBOS data systems • Integrated National Financing Framework Uganda • ECONOPLAT Uganda • Onesmus Kansiime #Uganda #Kampala #OPMUganda #SDGsUganda #NDPIV #PublicServiceUganda #Agenda2063 #KampalaDeclaration #APSD2025 #SDGsUg #AfricaSDGs #Africa2030 #SustainableAfrica #ARFSD #AfricaPublicServiceDay #FinancingDevelopmentAfrica #LeaveNoOneBehindAfrica #GlobalGoals #UNSDGs #PactForTheFuture #DataForDevelopment #SDGLeadership #InnovationForDevelopment #SustainableDevelopment #FutureOfPublicService