Amb. Dr. Karin Boven Amazed by the Work Done by UPDS

On the evening of November 22, 2023, Harunah and other One Young World (OYW) ambassadors gathered at the residence of Ambassador Dr. Karin Boven, who was then the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Uganda. The OYW ambassadors have distinguished themselves through their unwavering commitment to community service, leading impactful initiatives such as Climate Justice, Disability Inclusion and Empowerment, Peace, and Reconciliation, among others.

The purpose of the meeting was to share experiences and reflections from their recent participation in the One Young World summit held in Belfast, United Kingdom, from October 2 to 5, and to discuss ways to continue working together. Participants shared their perceptions of UK culture and how it has evolved since their summit participation. Harunah remarked,

“The summit came at a time when our political atmosphere was infused with debates, especially regarding LGBTQI issues in Uganda. Flying in from Uganda, a country under international scrutiny for its stance on LGBTQI matters, I initially thought I would face an unwelcoming atmosphere. Contrary to these assumptions, my time in the UK offered a stark contrast between mainstream media narratives and the actual reality on the ground. This revelation has become a central theme in my role as an ambassador, as I now share with others that the UK is not as depicted in the media but a place of acceptance, understanding, and welcoming.”

Amb. Dr. Karin Boven revealed that the Netherlands has substantial investments in Uganda, with an annual budget of approximately 100 million euros, and expressed her confidence in Uganda as a role model for many others. She stated,

“We have a huge budget of about 100 million euros per year, and this is because Uganda is a long-term friend to the Netherlands. We believe in supporting Uganda because we consider it a role model for many countries.”

The ambassador emphasized the growing significance of climate change, particularly in the present times, and the need for more concerted and inclusive efforts. She expressed hope for arranging discussions or dialogues in The Hague and inviting the OYW ambassadors to participate in such events.

“Climate, as you know, is becoming increasingly important, especially now. We could invite you to The Hague to share insights or debate some of these critical issues. These initiatives are very important because they keep us focused and informed,” Amb. Dr. Karin Boven concluded.

These young stars also had the opportunity to meet Ambassador Katie Airey, the Ambassador of the British High Commission to Uganda, to share their experiences as One Young World ambassadors and to foster a cordial working relationship while seeking support for their grassroots initiatives.