The Honorable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, John Mulimba, officially welcomed Dr. Robin Nandy, the newly appointed UNICEF Representative to Uganda, during a formal meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kampala today. Dr. Nandy presented his credentials as part of his introductory visit.
In his address, Hon. Mulimba extended a warm welcome to Dr. Nandy, commending UNICEF for its steadfast commitment to promoting the well-being, education, and health of Ugandan children.
He praised the enduring partnership between Uganda and UNICEF, particularly its contributions to advancing key development goals.
The Minister emphasized that Uganda’s children are the cornerstone of the nation’s future and essential to its progress.
Hon. Mulimba also drew attention to pressing global issues, such as climate change and pandemics, noting their direct impact on children’s welfare.
He reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to collaborating with UNICEF to tackle these challenges. Additionally, he stressed the need to focus on critical social issues, including teenage pregnancies and early marriages.
The Minister called for a joint effort, encouraging a shift in mindset among Ugandans to foster meaningful and lasting progress.
The Minister further emphasized Uganda’s strong commitment to its partnership with UNICEF, offering an open-door policy for continued cooperation during Dr. Nandy’s tenure.
He expressed confidence that Dr. Nandy’s leadership would strengthen Uganda-UNICEF relations and advance key national development goals.
Dr. Robin Nandy, in his remarks, expressed gratitude for the warm reception and reaffirmed UNICEF’s dedication to supporting Uganda’s development agenda.
He emphasized that UNICEF’s country cooperation program, under the UN Cooperation Framework, aligns closely with Uganda’s priorities.
Acknowledging limited resources, Dr. Nandy highlighted the importance of well-coordinated plans that would attract funding and ensure the success of programs aimed at improving the lives of children.
Dr. Nandy also stressed UNICEF’s focus on fostering positive social and behavioral changes within Uganda’s communities, particularly in addressing challenges faced by vulnerable children.
He reiterated UNICEF’s commitment to building resilience and ensuring that Uganda is better equipped to address future challenges.
The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming their commitment to working closely together to ensure the continued success of development programs aimed at enhancing the well-being of Uganda’s children.
Dr. Nandy brings extensive experience in global health and development to his new role, having held previous leadership positions in countries like Iran, Indonesia, and India.
His expertise in immunization, child survival, and humanitarian response will be instrumental in advancing UNICEF’s mission in Uganda and supporting the country’s overall development efforts.
