IMPROVING LITERACY KEY TO UGANDAS DEVELOPMENT US AMBASSADOR

The United States Ambassador to Uganda Natalie Brown has stressed the need to improve literacy levels to achieve Uganda’s desired goal of transforming the country into a modern economy.

Research has shown that improving literacy facilitates employment whereby both males and females can contribute, helping the wider economy and community to thrive.

“Uganda’s most important resource is its people; and the US strongly believes education and literacy are the center of transforming Uganda,” Brown said.

She said this on Wednesday during a press conference held at the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to launch the D.E.A.R Day events.

Literacy not only enriches an individual’s life, but it creates opportunities for people to develop skills that will help them provide for themselves and their family.

She noted that the US mission will for the 8th year be joining Uganda to mark DEAR day.

The KCCA Executive Director Dorothy Kisaka, underscored the importance of DEAR Day which KCCA traditionally celebrates with weeklong daily reading sessions at City schools. DEAR Day is short for Drop EverythingAnd Read.

“Through the DEAR Day, our pupils will strengthen their basic skills in reading and numeracy. We want to ensure that we have a strong reading culture in all our schools,” Kisaka said.

She informed city dwellers that KCCA is rolling out several initiatives and programs for the transformation of city dwellers; smart infrastructure, smart technology and Smart governance practices

She  appealed to the general public to utilize the public information resources located at City Hall and at Lubaga Division to improve their knowledge, make informed decisions.

“We have 79 schools in the city and we are happy that these schools through the UPE and USE program are increasing literacy in the city and the nation

Adult literacy rate in Kampala stands at only 76.5% with males at 82.6% and females at 70.8% (UNESCO) and overall literacy rate in Uganda is low at 72% (UBOS).

Kisaka also asked city dwellers to participate in the governance of their city and in Government programs such as the Parish Development Model.

“Under PDM, we have 99 parishes in Kampala representing 99 opportunities where we can set up community centres where our people can sharpen their skills and acquire information to succeed in the Parish Model strategy,” Kisaka said.

Kisaka encouraged Ugandans to take part in the DEAR day on July 1st at 11am by droping everything and read. You may read a newspaper or a bible or anything of your choice. But for thirty minutes only just read.

The Rotary Governor for District 913, Mike Sebalu, commended government for its efforts in improving literacy through the various programs.

This year Rotary will this concentrate on life changing program called Basic Education and Literacy enhancing program.

“There is need to enhance children access to literacy in Uganda.  We will equip libraries, teachers and learners. This progarm will also cater for the deaf,” Sebalu said.

DEAR Day is a wonderful opportunity to shine a light on the importance of literacy and reading culture while also celebrating your community and its members.

It is a special occasion celebrated nationwide to remind ourselves about reading and nurturing a culture of reading amongst the communities we lead; The theme for this year is “Imagine Reading as a Way of Life”

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