Health 24 July 2026 The Observer (Uganda)
Netherlands Pledges $16 Million to Boost Youth Health Programs in Uganda
The Kingdom of the Netherlands has committed over $16 million to the SAY Plus+ program, a multi-donor initiative aimed at enhancing the health, rights, and well-being of Ugandan youth. This funding, channeled through UNFPA, will bolster efforts in sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence prevention, and youth empowerment. Source: https://observer.ug/news/netherlands-commits-16m-to-youth-health-in-uganda
The Kingdom of the Netherlands has announced a significant financial commitment of over $16 million to support the Strengthening Adolescents and Youth Rights and Empowerment (SAY Plus+) programme in Uganda. This contribution positions the Netherlands as a key partner alongside Denmark, Sweden, and Iceland in a multi-donor effort focused on improving the lives of young Ugandans.
The agreement, signed between the Dutch Embassy in Uganda and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), will extend support for vital programs until 2030. The SAY Plus+ initiative specifically targets individuals aged 10 to 24, with an emphasis on vulnerable groups such as adolescent girls, young women, out-of-school youth, and refugees.
The program aims to increase access to youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services, combat gender-based violence, and equip young people with essential life skills for informed decision-making. UNFPA representative Kristine Blokhus highlighted the importance of this investment, noting that youth constitute a substantial portion of Uganda’s population and that empowering them is crucial for the nation’s economic potential.
Bouwe-Jan Smeding, Chargé d’Affaires at the Netherlands Embassy, emphasized his country’s long-standing dedication to adolescent sexual and reproductive health. He pointed to the Netherlands’ success in maintaining low teenage pregnancy rates through comprehensive sexuality education and accessible contraception as a model that can inform the SAY Plus+ program’s goals.
The Dutch funding will enhance various aspects of the program, including HIV prevention, response to gender-based violence, and community engagement to challenge harmful social norms contributing to teenage pregnancies and child marriages. This initiative aligns with Uganda’s National Development Plan IV and aims to reach marginalized youth, particularly those in humanitarian settings.
Source: https://observer.ug/news/netherlands-commits-16m-to-youth-health-in-uganda