MDGs Debate: Whose Millennium Development Goals

By Pascal Kwesiga

Ugandans like many people in different parts of the world are gearing up for the 2015 target for the achievement of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). As discussions for the post 2015 Development agenda gain momentum, Pascal Kwesiga looks at the  status of Uganda on achievement of each of the eight MDGs, what Ugandans know about the MDGs and what different sections of Uganda’s think are their own development goals.

About the MDGs

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are eight International Development goals established after the UN Millennium Summit in 2000. The UN member countries adopted the goals in the UN Millennium Declaration and committed themselves to achieving them by 2015. The MDGs include;

1. To eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
2. To achieve universal primary education
3. To promote gender equality and empower women
4. To reduce child mortality
5. To improve maternal health
6. To combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases
7. To ensure environmental sustainability
8. To develop a global partnership for development

Each goal has specific targets and dates for achieving those targets. It should be noted that efforts have been made by countries including Uganda to have these goals achieved.

But as the 2015 deadline for MDGs gets closer, countries are making last minute efforts to try to achieve the goals. It’s therefore against this background that I found it relevant to examine Uganda’s performance and engage development experts about the suitable post 2015 development framework.

Here is a graphical presentation of the MDGs and an analysis of Uganda’s performance. Click on the tabs below to see how Uganda performed on the different aspects of each of the MDGs.

BUT WHAT DO ORDINARY PEOPLE THINK ABOUT MDGs?

While the statics from the UN show a mix of achievements on some targets and a struggle on some for Uganda, there has been concern that many Ugandans do not know or care about MDGs or take them to be their own development goals.

Here below are audio recordings and videos presenting how Ugandans understand MDGs, what the government of Uganda can do to improve people’s livelihoods, people’s personal development goals (are their goals included in the MDGs?) and experts weighing in on the relevance of MDGs for Uganda and the key development issues that government should tackle in the post 2015 development agenda.

Related articles
Challenges remain as Uganda achieves first Millennium Development Goal UNDP

Byanyima Says Uganda will not attain MDGs– NTV

Uganda and the Development Goals– The Guardian

Localizing the Millennium Development Goals in Uganda – Water Aid

Uganda lags behind on key MDGs as deadline closes in– Daily Monitor

Uganda makes progress on MDGs– The Independent

Additional reporting and design, Ultimate Media