Netherlands pledges support for Busoga’s health, development agenda
The partnership signals a strengthened relationship, with both parties committed to working together to achieve common goals and improve the quality of life and future prospects for the people of Busoga.
Kyabazinga of Busoga William Gabula Nadiope IV (right) chatting with the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Uganda Frederieke Quispel (left) during her courtesy visit at Igenge Palace in Jinja City on Friday. (Photos by Donald Kiirya)
By Donald Kiirya
Journalists @New Vision
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The Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Uganda, Frederieke Quispel, has expressed keen interest in expanding the sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) programme within the Busoga kingdom.
Quispel made the remarks during a courtesy visit to the Kyabazinga of Busoga, Isabirye William Gabula Nadiope IV, on October 17, 2025, at his Igenge Palace in Bugembe, Jinja city. She was accompanied by Elin Hilwig, the first secretary for SRHR and gender, and Laura van Wezel, an intern on the SRHR team.
She was received by Busoga kingdom’s second deputy prime minister, Osman Ahmed Noor, who was accompanied by Prince Wilson Nadiope and the Kyabazinga Affairs Minister, Owek. Babirye Yudaya. Noor later led her into the palace for a meeting with the Kyabazinga.
“I laud the Busoga Kingdom for its existing initiatives, especially the men are the pillars programme, where men and boys are being engaged to end teenage pregnancies in Busoga,” Quispel said, adding that the Netherlands commits to expanding SRHR and economic programmes.
"What you've done so far for these important topics, and how you set up men within your Kingdom to work on all these subjects, that is essential," Ambassador Quispel stated, acknowledging the universal nature of societal challenges like violence and the critical role elders play in education.
She added that through health and community programmes implemented by the Heroes Consortium Programme and the UN Joint Spotlight Uganda 2.0 initiative, the Netherlands contributes to raising awareness and improving healthcare services in key areas such as family planning, pregnancy care, safe childbirth, shifting social norms, and eradicating violence against women.
Quispel said that the King’s “Abasaadha n’Empango”, “Men are the Pillars”, campaign places men and boys at the core of his strategy to address critical societal challenges such as teenage pregnancies and child marriage, saying that “This approach recognises the essential role men play in shaping social change.”
The visit also highlighted numerous opportunities for expanded collaboration between the Embassy of the Netherlands and the Busoga Kingdom, particularly in areas promoting social welfare and economic empowerment.
The partnership signals a strengthened relationship, with both parties committed to working together to achieve common goals and improve the quality of life and future prospects for the people of Busoga.
From L-R: Laura van Wezel an intern SRHR team, Busoga Kingdom's 2nd deputy Prime Minister Alhaj Osman Ahmed Noor, Kyabazinga of Busoga William Gabula Nadiope IV, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Uganda Frederieke Quispel, Elin Hilwig the 1st Secretary SRHR and Gender at the Embassy of Netherlands in Uganda, Kyabazinga Affairs Minister and Executive Director Kyabazinga Initiatives Yudaya Babirye, and Prince Wilson Nadiope a director Kyabaziinga Initiative, in a group photograph at Igenge Palace in Bugembe, Jinja City on Friday. 
In his remarks, the Kyabazinga outlined his vision for advancing Busoga’s economic and social progress.
The monarch emphasised the need for sustainable development that uplifts both the economic and social well-being of his subjects.
King’s call for a healthier, united community
The Kyabazinga, who is also a UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador, commended the Netherlands’ existing programmes in Uganda, particularly within Busoga, noting that SRHR aligns perfectly with the kingdom’s core mission to ensure its people have a healthier standard of living while preserving cultural values.
"One of our main works is to ensure that our people have a healthier living," the Kyabazinga stated. He highlighted the urgent need to address challenges such as high teenage pregnancy rates and marital instability, which disproportionately affect the region.
He referred to the kingdom’s “Abasaadha Ne’Mpango” (Men are the Pillars) campaign, which engages men and boys as partners in tackling teenage pregnancies and school dropouts.
He called for the Netherlands to provide more funding and expertise to strengthen this initiative.
Focus on poverty and agriculture
Beyond health, the Kyabazinga underscored the pivotal role of agriculture, Uganda’s economic backbone, in eradicating poverty.
Given the Netherlands’ global strength in the sector, he expressed a strong desire to collaborate on mechanised systems to improve productivity and incomes for the 70% of the population who are youth and rely on agriculture.
"We can be in a position to have better mechanised systems," he noted, expressing optimism about moving beyond traditional methods to sustainable and productive activities.