The Kingdom of the Netherlands has committed USD 16 million to the Strengthening Adolescents and Youth Rights and Empowerment (SAY Plus+) programme, joining Denmark, Sweden and Iceland in a multi-donor initiative aimed at improving the health, rights and well-being of young people across Uganda.
The funding agreement was officially signed on Thursday between the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Uganda and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), expanding support for one of Uganda’s flagship programmes focused on adolescent and youth empowerment.
The additional funding strengthens a pooled financing mechanism that supports Uganda’s national efforts to improve sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), prevent gender-based violence (GBV), and expand opportunities for adolescents and young people through 2030.
The SAY Plus+ programme targets young people aged 10 to 24, with particular emphasis on adolescent girls, young women, out-of-school youth and refugees. It seeks to increase access to youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services, protect young people from gender-based violence, and equip them with life skills and knowledge to make informed decisions about their health and future.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, UNFPA Representative in Uganda Kristine Blokhus welcomed the Netherlands’ entry into the partnership, describing it as a significant investment in Uganda’s future.
“As UNFPA, the UN Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights agency, we are thrilled that the Kingdom of the Netherlands has joined the SAY Plus+ initiative alongside Denmark, Sweden and Iceland, contributing a USD 16 million investment,” Blokhus said.
“This funding supports Uganda’s youth, who make up 73 percent of the population under the age of 30. The initiative aims to unlock the country’s economic potential by investing in youth sexual and reproductive health and rights, preventing school dropouts due to pregnancy or violence, and ensuring they are healthy and empowered to lead.”
Bouwe-Jan Smeding, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Uganda, said the partnership reflects the Netherlands’ longstanding commitment to improving adolescent sexual and reproductive health.
“The Netherlands consistently ranks among the countries with the lowest teenage pregnancy and birth rates globally. The remarkably low rate of adolescent pregnancies in the Netherlands is attributed to comprehensive, non-judgmental sexuality education, and free, universal access to modern contraceptives,” Smeding said.
“We are pleased to support the SAY Plus+ programme, which focuses on these issues, and look forward to the four-year journey and the lasting change we can bring together.”
According to UNFPA, the programme will strengthen youth-friendly health services, including HIV prevention and gender-based violence response, while working with communities, parents, cultural leaders and local institutions to address harmful social norms, reduce teenage pregnancy and prevent child marriage.
The programme also seeks to improve coordination among development partners through a pooled funding model managed and technically led by UNFPA Uganda.
SAY Plus+ builds on the achievements of its first phase and aligns with Uganda’s National Development Plan IV, the Universal Health Coverage Compact and district development priorities. It is implemented through government institutions, civil society organisations and community structures.
UNFPA said the expanded partnership with the Netherlands will enable the programme to reach more adolescents and young people, particularly those living in humanitarian, fragile and underserved communities, while contributing to Uganda’s broader development and youth empowerment agenda-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
