The World Bank wants Uganda to spend more money helping young children. They think this will make Uganda's people smarter and better workers when they grow up.
Most people in Uganda are very young. Half of all Ugandans are children under 18 years old, and only a small number are over 60. The World Bank says Uganda has a big chance to make the country richer if it takes good care of these children.
Mukami Kariuki from the World Bank explained that children's brains grow the most before they turn 3 years old. She said it is very important for babies and toddlers to eat healthy food, see a doctor, and have adults play with them during this time. If children do not get these things when they are very little, it is hard for them to catch up later.
But right now, Uganda does not spend as much money on schools and hospitals as other countries do. In 2021, Uganda only spent a little bit of its money on education and even less on health care. The World Bank says Uganda needs to spend more to help the country reach its goals.
The World Bank shared some ideas for how Uganda can help young children. They said Uganda should build more daycares and clinics in places that do not have them. They also said parents should learn how to take good care of their kids and not hurt them. They think Uganda should pay for children to go to school for an extra year.
Qimiao Fan from the World Bank said Uganda's economy is doing well. He thinks it will keep growing, especially when the country starts selling oil. But he warned that Uganda could have money problems if it takes too long to start selling the oil.
Mr. Fan said Uganda needs to be careful about how it spends money. It should spend more on schools and hospitals for young children. If Uganda does not help these children learn and stay healthy now, the country could lose 45 billion dollars in the future. This is because these children will not have the skills to do a good job when they grow up.
A government leader named Henry Musasizi agreed with the World Bank. He said Uganda will keep investing in things that help people, like roads, schools, hospitals, and banks. He wants to make sure everyone in Uganda has a chance to do well, not just a few people.
Mr. Musasizi believes the World Bank is right. He says Uganda will do well in the future if it takes good care of its children today. He knows that what happens to children when they are little is very important for building a strong country.
Most people in Uganda are very young. Half of all Ugandans are children under 18 years old, and only a small number are over 60. The World Bank says Uganda has a big chance to make the country richer if it takes good care of these children.
Mukami Kariuki from the World Bank explained that children's brains grow the most before they turn 3 years old. She said it is very important for babies and toddlers to eat healthy food, see a doctor, and have adults play with them during this time. If children do not get these things when they are very little, it is hard for them to catch up later.
But right now, Uganda does not spend as much money on schools and hospitals as other countries do. In 2021, Uganda only spent a little bit of its money on education and even less on health care. The World Bank says Uganda needs to spend more to help the country reach its goals.
The World Bank shared some ideas for how Uganda can help young children. They said Uganda should build more daycares and clinics in places that do not have them. They also said parents should learn how to take good care of their kids and not hurt them. They think Uganda should pay for children to go to school for an extra year.
Qimiao Fan from the World Bank said Uganda's economy is doing well. He thinks it will keep growing, especially when the country starts selling oil. But he warned that Uganda could have money problems if it takes too long to start selling the oil.
Mr. Fan said Uganda needs to be careful about how it spends money. It should spend more on schools and hospitals for young children. If Uganda does not help these children learn and stay healthy now, the country could lose 45 billion dollars in the future. This is because these children will not have the skills to do a good job when they grow up.
A government leader named Henry Musasizi agreed with the World Bank. He said Uganda will keep investing in things that help people, like roads, schools, hospitals, and banks. He wants to make sure everyone in Uganda has a chance to do well, not just a few people.
Mr. Musasizi believes the World Bank is right. He says Uganda will do well in the future if it takes good care of its children today. He knows that what happens to children when they are little is very important for building a strong country.
