The 2015 Situation Analysis provides an excellent and inclusive understanding of the situation of children in Uganda today. In conjunction with the National Development Plan II (NDP II) 2016–2020, and the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), it has also created a unique opportunity to identify gaps in evidence, data and policy for further research and analysis. Although not conclusive or exhaustive, this agenda represents a bold attempt to identify and prioritise key areas/research themes stemming from the Situation Analysis (2015) and other available evidence on the status of children in Uganda. The five-year life span of this research agenda (2016 – 2020) aims to align it to the NDP II and UNDAF, while providing an opportunity to focus on policy areas of concern identified in the Situation Analysis.
With this framework in mind, this child-focused policy research agenda aims to:
- stimulate and guide a new wave of child-centred policy research and evidence that is fully compatible with national policy priorities on children and overall socio-economic development
- ensure that national policies and interventions for children are equity sensitive, have a sound empirical base and are in compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
- provide guidance to a broad spectrum of stakeholders – from academic researchers to development practitioners – through the clear articulation of a series of research questions to inform policy formulation and enhance the delivery of basic services and programmes that affect children in Uganda.
