The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, John Mulimba, warmly welcomed Dr. Robin Nandy, the newly appointed UNICEF Representative to Uganda, during a meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kampala, where Dr. Nandy presented his credentials.
In his remarks, Mulimba acknowledged UNICEF’s steadfast support in promoting the health, education, and well-being of Ugandan children. The Minister praised the enduring partnership between Uganda and UNICEF, particularly in achieving key development milestones that impact the lives of children, whom he called the foundation of the nation’s future.
Addressing global challenges such as climate change and pandemics, Mulimba emphasized their direct effects on children’s welfare and stressed the importance of joint efforts with UNICEF. He also highlighted social issues like teenage pregnancies and early marriages, calling for a collective effort to drive mindset change among Ugandans for sustainable progress.
Mulimba reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to maintaining strong ties with UNICEF and assured Dr. Nandy of an open-door policy throughout his term. He expressed confidence that Dr. Nandy's leadership would further strengthen Uganda-UNICEF cooperation and help meet national development goals.
Dr. Nandy expressed gratitude for the warm reception and emphasized that UNICEF’s country program aligns with Uganda’s development priorities under the UN Cooperation Framework. He noted that despite limited resources, collaborative efforts could attract funding and ensure successful program execution. He underlined UNICEF’s focus on positive social and behavioural change, as well as strengthening community resilience, particularly for the most vulnerable children.
Both parties concluded the meeting by reaffirming their commitment to work together on development programs aimed at improving the lives of children and enhancing Uganda’s ability to tackle emerging challenges.
Dr. Robin Nandy, who brings extensive experience in global health and development, previously held leadership roles in countries like Iran, Indonesia, and India. His background in immunization, child survival, and humanitarian response will play a key role in advancing child rights and supporting Uganda’s development agenda.
