The United Nations has urged Uganda’s national and local leaders to strengthen coordination between policy and practice to ensure the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) deliver tangible results for citizens.
This call was made by Leonard Zulu, the UN Resident Coordinator in Uganda, today, 24th March 2026 during a national workshop on SDG-Aligned Local Planning and Multi-Level Governance, organized jointly by the Office of the Prime Minister, the National SDG Secretariat, and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA).
He highlighted the crucial role of sub-national authorities in translating policy into impact.
“Local governments bring national policies to life, transforming development plans into real services, infrastructure, and opportunities for citizens,” Zulu stated.
He also commended Uganda for mainstreaming the SDGs into the national policy agenda but noted that the real test lies in local-level implementation.
The workshop, he explained, provides a platform for district leaders to assess their capacities, identify gaps in coordination with national institutions, and adopt practical tools to align local development plans with the SDGs.
“These are not theoretical questions. They are questions that determine whether development plans translate into real change where it is needed most,” the UN Resident Coordinator in Uganda, said.
According to Zulu, achieving the 2030 Agenda depends on strong institutions at both national and local levels, alongside effective coordination between them.
He highlighted that partnerships between government institutions, the UN system, and development partners are essential, noting that the collaboration at the workshop exemplifies the kind of joint effort required.
“This workshop shows that joint efforts between government, the UN, and development partners are key to making real impact,” the UN Resident Coordinator in Uganda, pointed out.
Zulu further called for open dialogue and practical solutions from local leaders, emphasizing inclusivity and attention to communities’ furthest behind.
“It is my hope that we will use this workshop to move from discussion to action,” he emphasized.
The workshop demonstrates that translating Uganda’s national development goals into tangible results for citizens requires more than policy as it demands effective coordination, strong institutions, and collaborative action at both national and local levels.
By bringing together government officials, development partners, and UN experts, the event provides a platform to identify gaps, share practical solutions, and ensure that local governments are equipped to turn SDG commitments into real, inclusive, and measurable impact on the ground.
