KAMPALA, UGANDA — The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the
Netherlands in Uganda have officially signed a landmark partnership agreement, marking the Netherlands’ entry
into the SAY Plus+ (Strengthening Adolescents and Youth Rights and Empowerment) programme.
With this signing, the Netherlands joins existing donor partners; Denmark, Sweden and Iceland in a unified,
multi-donor commitment aimed at improving Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), combating
gender-based violence (GBV), and advancing youth empowerment across Uganda.
The additional USD 16 million contribution bolsters the multi-donor pooled fund supporting Uganda’s national
vision for youth empowerment, reproductive health, and rights through 2030. SAY Plus+ targets adolescents and
young people (aged 10–24) focusing on adolescent girls, young women, out-of-school youth, and refugee
populations by providing access to essential Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services,
protection against gender-based violence (GBV), and life-skills opportunities. By bringing the Netherlands into
this joint funding mechanism, the programme significantly expands its operational capacity and geographical
reach.
“As UNFPA, the UN Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights agency, we are thrilled that the Kingdom of the
Netherlands has joined the SAY Plus+ initiative alongside Denmark, Sweden and Iceland, contributing a USD 16
million investment. This funding supports Uganda’s youth, who make up 73 percent of the population under the
age of 30. The initiative aims to unlock the country’s economic potential by investing in youth sexual andreproductive health and rights, preventing school dropouts due to pregnancy or violence, and ensuring they are
healthy and empowered to lead,” said Ms. Kristine Blokhus, UNFPA Representative in Uganda.
“The Netherlands consistently ranks among the countries with the lowest teenage pregnancy and birth
rates globally. The remarkably low rate of adolescent pregnancies in the Netherlands is attributed to
comprehensive, non-judgmental sexuality education, and free, universal access to modern
contraceptives. The Netherlands is pleased to support the SAY Plus+ programme, that focuses on these
issues. We look forward to the four-year journey and the lasting change we can bring together.” said
Mr. Bouwe-Jan Smeding, Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Uganda.
Highlights of the SAY Plus+ Programme
● Empowerment & agency: Equips adolescents and young adults (ages 10–24) with essential knowledge
regarding their health, rights, and bodily autonomy.
● Strengthened health systems: Enhances the delivery of youth-friendly SRHR, HIV prevention, and
gender-based violence protection services in health facilities and community platforms.
● Community engagement: Works alongside local leaders, parents, and cultural institutions to address
harmful social norms, reduce teenage pregnancy, and prevent early marriage.
● Multi-donor synergy: Demonstrates high-efficiency aid delivery through pooled donor funding managed
and technically led by UNFPA Uganda.
About UNFPA
UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is the UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency. UNFPA’s mission
is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s
potential is fulfilled.
About the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Uganda
The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kampala works to build sustainable partnerships with
Uganda, focusing on economic trade, food security, rule of law, gender equality, and Sexual and Reproductive
Health and Rights (SRHR).
About SAY Plus+ Programme
SAY Plus+ is UNFPA Uganda’s flagship programme for advancing the health, rights, and empowerment of
adolescents and young people aged 10–24, with a particular focus on adolescent girls, young women, and those living in humanitarian, fragile, and underserved settings. The programme builds on the evidence, lessons, and
delivery platforms of SAY Phase I, while expanding both geographic reach and programmatic ambition.
The programme addresses the interlinked drivers of poor adolescent and youth outcomes through a packagebased, systems-anchored approach that integrates demand creation, empowerment, quality service delivery,
and institutional strengthening. SAY Plus+ is aligned with Uganda’s National Development Plan IV, the Universal
Health Coverage Compact, and district development priorities, and is implemented through government,
community, and civil society systems.
SAY Plus+ Partners: Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, and Netherlands.
Media Contacts
● UNFPA Uganda: Josephine Omunyidde Zhane, Communications and Resource Mobilisation Specialist, UNFPA Uganda. Email:
zhane@unfpa.org| Phone: +256 414 340 000 | Website: uganda.unfpa.org
● Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kampala:
Email: kam@minbuza.nl | Website: netherlandsandyou.nl/web/uganda
