KAMPALA, UGANDA – The Government of Iceland has committed an additional US$5.5 million to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Uganda, bolstering efforts to strengthen child and youth services and advance Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) programs across the country. The commitment, formalized through two complementary investments, was announced following a signing ceremony in Kampala on December 15, 2025.
Strengthening Child and Youth Services
A significant portion of the funding, US$4 million, is allocated to support Phase II of the 'Empowering Adolescent Mothers and Their Children – A Dual Generation Approach' program. This multi-year grant will run from January 2026 to December 2029. The initiative targets vulnerable adolescent mothers aged 12 to 19 years and their children aged 0 to 5 years in the refugee and host communities of Kikuube and Kyegegwa districts.
The program aims to address critical challenges such as early pregnancy, school dropout, and child vulnerability by providing an integrated package of services, including:
- Social protection
- Education pathways
- Early childhood development
- Mentorship
- Gender- and disability-inclusive services
- Strengthened referral systems
This approach is designed to enable adolescent mothers to return to school or acquire employable skills, while ensuring their children receive quality early learning, care, and protection. Phase II is expected to reach 3,000 young mothers and their children, building on the success of Phase I which supported 871 adolescent mothers.
Advancing WASH Initiatives
In a parallel agreement, Iceland pledged US$1.5 million for the WASH in institutions exit program, scheduled from January 2026 to June 2027. This program will consolidate gains in schools and health facilities across five refugee-hosting districts in West Nile: Adjumani, Arua, Madi-Okollo, Terego, and Yumbe.
The 'exit phase' signifies a strategic shift towards embedding governance, financing, and service provision within district and community structures, promoting a sustainable transition to nationally led WASH service delivery. The initiative will involve rehabilitating and expanding critical infrastructure, strengthening operation and maintenance systems, and building institutional and community capacity. Nearly 140,000 children, women, and community members are expected to benefit from these efforts.
A Strategic Partnership for Sustainable Development
The funding represents an 'additional' contribution, deepening the long-standing partnership between Iceland and UNICEF Uganda. Hildigunnur Engilbertsdottir, Head of Mission for the Embassy of Iceland in Uganda, emphasized the nature of the investment, stating, 'This was not emergency aid meant to plug short-term gaps. It was a calculated investment in systems that determine whether a girl returns to school after pregnancy, whether a child learns in a classroom with clean water, and whether support lasts after donors step back.'
Dr. Robin Nandy, UNICEF Representative in Uganda, acknowledged Iceland as 'a valued strategic partner in advancing Government-led programmes for children and adolescents in Uganda.' He added that these investments 'strengthen social protection, early learning, and essential services, ensuring lasting impact for children and their families.' The programs align with Uganda's National Development Plan IV and the Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on local ownership and sustainability.
5 Comments
Comandante
Is $5.5 million really enough for such widespread issues? Sounds like a drop in the ocean.
Muchacha
Great to see international cooperation making a tangible difference for children in vulnerable communities.
Habibi
It's good to see funding directed towards vulnerable groups like adolescent mothers, but the challenge of systemic poverty and lack of opportunities remains immense. We need more comprehensive approaches.
ZmeeLove
Why is Iceland funding this? What's their real agenda here? Nothing is ever purely altruistic.
Muchacho
Supporting education and social protection for young mothers is vital work. However, addressing the root causes of early pregnancy and school dropout requires broader societal change beyond just aid programs.