The Minister of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, Hon. Amongi Betty Ongom, has appealed to government stakeholders, the community, and international partners to unite and enhance literacy education to transform people’s lives in different communities of Uganda.
According to Minister Amongi, the advancement of literacy requires a unified approach, and each agency has a critical role to play in this collective endeavor.
“I call upon every stakeholder; government agencies, multilateral and bilateral agencies, international NGOs, civil society organizations, faith-based organizations, community organizations, religious institutions, and other faith-based movements, cultural and traditional institutions, academic institutions, educators, teachers, media, learners, and the community at large to unite in this effort,” Amongi said.
The minister made the remarks while addressing the press members at the Uganda Media Centre in Uganda’s capital, Kampala, on Thursday, September 5, 2024.
“Let us work together to bridge the gaps, overcome challenges, and build a future where every Ugandan has the power of literacy to transform their life and contribute to our nation’s prosperity and socio-economic transformation as envisioned in the vision statement of 2040,” Amongi said.
She added that Uganda’s move to join the rest of the world to celebrate International Literacy Day on September 8, 2024, is a testament to ensuring that every Ugandan, regardless of age or circumstance, has access to the opportunities that literacy brings as stipulated Article 30 of the constitution of the Republic of Uganda 1995, as amended.
“As Uganda marks this year’s International Literacy Day, the activities will reflect the government’s commitment to progress. Literacy stakeholders will engage in a week of dynamic events, including a literacy boot camp, symposium, reading and writing competitions, and graduation of adult learners. These activities are designed to highlight the successes of the different literacy programs and projects, showcase impactful stories, and foster community involvement,” Amongi said.
However, according to Hellen Grace Asamo, the Minister of State for Disability Affairs, despite the progress of a literacy rate of 76%, 24% of Uganda’s population remains illiterate, stating that there is a need for targeted interventions, especially in adult learning and community education.
Literacy is comprised of both formal and non-formal education, which is important to increase the ability of the poor to raise their incomes and enhance their quality of life. These include Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Functional Adult Literacy (FAL), among others.
