Child-sensitive social protection in Uganda

The report on child-sensitive social protection in Uganda presents an analysis of the social protection system from a child-sensitive lens, with a focus on Direct Income Support. It includes recommendations for the system to undergo reforms in order to be more child-sensitive and benefit future generations.

The report was written by Anh Tran (Development Pathways) and Burcu Munyas Ghadially (Save the Children). The study was jointly led by Save the Children Uganda and Uganda’s Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development.

Children are currently under prioritised by the social protection system in Uganda – with most children unable to access any form of social protection – despite the vast majority being raised in families living on low incomes. There are no national income support schemes in place focused on children, while the social care and support services sector is still at a nascent stage.

Our assessment shows that by investing in child-sensitive social protection and building a healthier and more skilled workforce, Uganda has the potential to strengthen human capital development and take advantage of the demographic dividend. However, to leverage this potential, it will require concrete actions which channel investments strategically to protect and stimulate young, and future generations.