By Kabuye Ronald
Ugandans have been urged to hold all stakeholders accountable especially policymakers, politicians, government officials, and themselves as citizens regarding the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-being, which is recognized as a fundamental human right.
Speaking during the closing session of the United Nations Association of Uganda (UNAU) Forum on Human Rights and SDG 3, held at Mt. Zion Hotel in Kampala, Richard Baguma Tinkasimire, Secretary General of UNAU, emphasized the importance of reviewing public officials’ performance, particularly during election periods, in the context of their delivery on health commitments tied to the SDGs, the national development plan, national budgets, and annual work plans.
“The time for elections is the time to review how leaders have upheld people’s right to health,” said Baguma. “We must mobilize one another to defend the improvement of health as a human right, not just as a request to ourselves or our leaders but as something we are fundamentally entitled to.”
Baguma highlighted the need for individual accountability, starting with personal responsibility. “For example, adults over 45 years old often neglect annual health check-ups, even when they can afford them. When health problems escalate, we blame systems. That behavior extends to leadership,” he said.
He pointed out that many citizens are unaware that Local Council III leaders are responsible for health services in their areas, just as district leaders are responsible for hospitals and Health Centre IV facilities. “If your local and district leaders are not prioritizing health, they are violating your human rights,” he added. “We need to stop looking only to the central government and start holding local leaders accountable.”
Linda Asaba, UNAU Programs Manager and Project Coordinator for the Accelerate SDGs initiative in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, opened the forum by stressing the importance of collaboration with policymakers to raise awareness about health issues.
“Policies and programs often face resistance because people don’t understand their purpose,” she said. “But if we begin with awareness creation, the public will start demanding them. If decision-makers raise awareness around critical health issues like Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and mental health in the way HIV/AIDS awareness was handled, more people would seek support rather than suffer in silence.”
Asaba also underscored the stigma surrounding mental health, particularly among the youth. “Many are struggling with depression and anxiety but don’t know where to turn. People fear seeking help at places like Butabika Hospital because of stigma, despite its capabilities. If young people and civil society organizations (CSOs) lead awareness efforts, SDG 3 will gain traction as a right, not a privilege,” she said.
Youth participants at the forum also emphasized the importance of awareness and advocacy in holding authorities accountable and respecting youth choices, particularly regarding sexual and reproductive health rights.
The forum brought together youth, civil society organizations, media, and government officials to discuss how SDG 3—Good Health and Well-being, should be recognized, protected, and implemented as a universal human right.
