July 2004
by David Kalanzi

At the invitation of the Government of Uganda, the Director-General of UNESCO, Mr. Koïchiro Matsuura paid an official visit to Uganda on 4th and 5th July 2004. He was accompanied by Mr. Paul Vitta, Director of the UNESCO office in Nairobi and UNESCO’s representative to Uganda.

During the visit, the Director-General met with H.E. Mr. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, with whom he discussed matters of common intrest, notably in the fields of education and culture. The Director-General commended Uganda for its progress in HIV/AIDS prevention education and in the protection of the cultural and natural heritage.

He also met with the Prime Minister, Prof Apollo Nsibambi, to whom he reaffirmed UNESCO’s wish to strengthen its cooperation with Uganda. The Director-General was happy to note the advances made towards Education For All as well as the measures taken by the Uganda Government in favor of environmental protection, which had enabled the World Heritage Committee to remove the Rwenzori Mountain National Park from the list of World Heritage in Danger. He invited Uganda to ratify the Convention for safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage as soon as possible in order to ensure the safeguarding of the country’s rich intangible heritage.

Under the Chairmanship of Hon Khiddu-Makubuya, Minister of Education and Sports, a meeting was held with ministers in charge of the Organizations fields of competence during which cooperation between Uganda and UNESCO was examined in detail and priority activities identified. These are:

Education
• Promotion of Science and Technonogy Education.
• Improve on the Quality of basic education through the development and operationalisation of a learners tracking system.
• Expand Non-Formal Education activities including Vocational and entrepreneurial skills in Functional Adult Literacy.
• Strengthen the capacity of guidance and counselling in the HIV/AIDS programe among the youth.
• Provide education geared to the post conflict reintegration of children and youth in conflict regions of Uganda.

Science
• Establish a regional water observatory for sub-Saharan Africa in Uganda.
• Reinforce the UNESCO Chair on post Harvest Technology based at Makerere University.
• Support the initiative to develop mount Elgon as a trans boundary Biosphere reserve.

Culture
• Support the campaign to disseminate the National Culture Policy.
• Reinforce Cultural industries in order to promote self employment and Income generating activities.
• Preserve the intangible cultural heritage including languages.

Communication
• Expand the Multi-purpose Community Tele-centers.
• Promote Information for all through the establishment of a National library and the right of access Information.
• Build capacity in the areas of Media and film Industry.

At the end of this meeting a joint Communique was signed by the Director-General and the Minister of Education and Sports of Uganda.

While in Uganda, the Director-general visited the Kasubi Royal Tombs, inscribed on the World Heritage list and the Namugongo Martyrs Shrine.