The report provides a comprehensive analysis of Early Childhood Development (ECD) services in Uganda, highlighting progress, gaps, and recommendations. With 28% of Uganda’s population under 8 years old, ECD is critical for national development. While improvements in health, education, and child protection are noted, disparities in access, funding, and quality persist, particularly for marginalized groups.
Progress and Challenges in ECD Service Delivery
Uganda has made strides in reducing child mortality and improving immunization rates, with 56.5% of children aged 3–4 years and 68.3% of those aged 4–5 years developmentally on track. However, literacy and numeracy remain weak points, with only 14% and 35.3% of children meeting benchmarks in these domains, respectively. Pre-primary education access is limited, with 60% of children aged 3–5 unable to attend due to financial barriers.
The National Situation Analysis of Early Childhood Development in Uganda ECD Services Delivery and Access
Regional Disparities and Funding Gaps
ECD outcomes vary significantly by region, with Kampala, Karamoja, and Bunyoro sub-regions facing the poorest access and service delivery. Funding remains a major constraint, heavily reliant on donor support, which risks sustainability. For example, only 46% of pregnant women attended their fourth antenatal visit, falling short of the 50% target.
"Six out of every ten children miss out on early learning due to financial constraints, highlighting the need for affordable ECCE services."
Recommendation
The report calls for stronger coordination, increased funding, policy reforms (e.g., amending the Education Act), and targeted interventions for marginalized groups to ensure equitable ECD service delivery.
I appreciate the focus on helping regional banks specifically. Often, the advice out there is geared towards larger institutions and doesn’t address the specific constraints and opportunities that regional banks face. I think exploring strategies like M&A to achieve operational scale and offset regulatory compliance costs is critical for these banks1. Also, as mentioned in another article, developing or expanding niche capabilities to open up new opportunities could be a game-changer.