On United Nations Day, 2017, celebrated on the streets of Kampala...

Grassroots Action to Achieve the UN's Global Goals

by Andrew Mukhwana, Headmaster, Summit View Primary School

Far from the United Nations in New York — where the UN Sustainable Development Goals​ ​(SDGs) were adopted by all UN Member States in 2015 — UN Day 2017 was also celebrated, at the grassroots, on October 24th, in Uganda’s capital city Kampala. During this day — the UN’s 72nd ‘birthday — activities were carried out in four primary school divisions of Kampala Capital City Authority — Kawempe, Nakawa, Rubaga and Makindye. This event was an example of global goals translated into grassroots action. 

                A street-wide banner introduced the topic and school lessons highlighted the UN SDGs. Major activities were focused on climate action — for SDG # 13 — and urbanization — for SDG # 11.  Tree and grass planting was accomplished, plus cleaning of the city markets and roads and painting of school blocks and improvement of the sanitation in the congested city slums.

“Each were given trees to plant.”

The Makindye Division hosted top UN Delegates — including the Resident Coordinator of UNDP, Ms. Malago, and all the Heads of the UN agencies of UNICEF, UNESCO, FAO and ILO. They also planted  plenty of grass and several trees in the school compound, as well as painting school blocks and helping with cleaning in neighbouring communities. Over 20 education institutions were invited and each were given trees to plant. 

The Mayor and Town Clerk of the  Makindye Division also attended — as children sang songs and were given gifts. The first Deputy Prime Minister General Moses Ali officiated at the function on behalf of Government. At the end of the day, all the groups were invited to the Prime Minister's office [below right] for official remarks and a cup of tea.

“All were invited to the Prime Minister's office for official remarks and a cup of tea.”

Ugandan Primary School children lined-up — with their teachers [below left] — prepared and excited to learn about these Global Goals — during their observance of UN Day, 2017.  This 'Day' was organized by Andrew Mukhwana and Mr. Kasango Alphonse — two leading Kampala Primary School Teachers — were among the key organizers of this opportunity for their students to learn more about development needs and deeds in Uganda, East Africa and across the world.

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About the Author:  Andrew Mukhwana is currently Headteacher (Principal) at the Summit View Army Primary School, in the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) of Kampala, Uganda. In this role, he also serves widely in the national primary education networks of his nation. He represents his education colleagues at many international conferences and meetings, all related to improving education for Ugandan children, including collaboration with the Ontario Principals’ Council in Toronto. He is CEO for the national Uganda Chapter of Moral Re-Armament / Initiatives of Change, also serving, in this capacity, as Co-Chair of the distinguished International Muslim & Christian Teachers Dialogue in 2011, convened at the International Initiatives of Change Headquarters in Caux, Switzerland, where educators from the UK, Middle East, USA, Nigeria and Egypt participated.  As one of the Co-Founders of ‘NIGH Uganda,’ Mr. Mukhwana works to the development of educational and related teacher-training programs — for Uganda and all of Africa. He also is a valued collaborator with the Nightingale Initiative for Global Health — joining a growing number of NIGH affiliates who are focused on advocating to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals worldwide — including Andrew's  wife — Jeniffer Mukhwana — a teacher and lay-midwife —  featured here >>
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​Photo Credits: The boy in a yellow shirt — planting a tree (above right) — is from GoOverseas.com. All other photos courtesy of Andrew Mukhwana, Headteacher of the Munyonyo Primary School, in the Kampala Capital City Authority. Graphic Credits: Above left, the UN SDGs Colour Wheel and each of the 17 UN SDG logos are posted here using the official UN SDG Logo Guidelines.