A stakeholder’s review meeting was convened in April 2023, inviting key partners in Adult Learning and Education in Uganda to review the draft National Non-formal adult learning and community education strategy (NALCES). After effective consensus building at the national and district level, the opportunity arose to launch the strategy in celebration of International Literacy Day (8th September 2023). Stakeholders in Uganda’s education sector led by Hon. Sarah Mateke, the State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs and H.E Hans von Schroeder, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of German, Kampala Uganda on September 08, 2023 congregated at Hotel Africana Kampala in a Symposium to celebrate the International Literacy Day, which occasion marked the launch of a monumental document in the quest for an effective adult Learning and Education System in Uganda, “The Non-formal Adult Learning and Community Education Strategy (NALCES)”. The event was graced by over 150 representatives from a wide range of stakeholders from public sector, civil society, academia and private sector as well as individuals who consistently and passionately advocate for Literacy at all stages of life. Notable among these were Ms. Frauke Heinze, Regional Director East/Horn of Africa – DVV International, Mr. Charles Draecabo – UNESCO Country Coordinator, Professor George L. Openjuru, the Vice Chancellor Gulu University, Directors, Commissioners, and Senior Officers of different government ministries, departments and agencies as well as development agencies and civil society organisations. But most significantly, the adult literacy learners, pupils and adult education students from different learning centers and institutions across the country. The symposium was organized under the theme ‘Promoting literacy for a World in Transition: Building the Foundation for Peaceful and Sustainable Societies’ taken wholesomely as provided by UNESCO due to its relevancy to the literacy context in Uganda where peace and sustainable societies are prerequisite for attainment of its development agenda. In his remarks, H.E Hans von Schroeder commended DVV International for the support to the ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development that has seen the strategy developed and launched, but broadly, for promoting adult learning and education system building in Uganda. He further noted that education and development are at the core of the bilateral cooperation between the Federal Government of German and the Republic of Uganda that spans over decades. He concluded that Germany continues to stand ready to support Uganda with its expertise to lift as many people as possible out of illiteracy and poverty especially those that are most likely to suffer multiple vulnerabilities like the girl child. He was hopeful though, that the launched strategy will serve as an effective tool for Uganda to address the urgent issues of closing the gaps in service delivery, school dropouts, high illiteracy rates among others. Hon. Sarah Mateke on the other hand commended DVV International and the German people for continuing their partnership with and support to the government of Uganda as it pursues its development agenda of lifting people from substance to a money economy and noted that illiteracy is still a big challenge to this transition. The Minister noted that government is cognizant of the disparities in education service delivery and affirmed that Government of Uganda remains committed to addressing such disparities and promoting literacy as a vehicle for sustainable development. She called upon all Adult Learning and Education stakeholders to embrace the Strategy to guide all efforts geared towards non-formal adult learning and community education for a literate, informed, productive, peaceful and knowledge society. The key note address was delivered by Professor George L. Openjuru, the Vice Chancellor Gulu University who has extensively read and written on literacy and he likened literacy to all other human basic needs yet its importance becomes more and more prominent every other day that if removed from daily human interaction, everything collapses especially in this transitioning world that is becoming more digitalized. He was concerned though that such an important need as literacy has been given the list attention in national development planning architecture and called for an urgent intervention by all concerned officers to focus on the kind of literacy that this world. Participants had the opportunity to add their voices in articulating the day’s theme and some of their messages included; the assertion that illiteracy is a result and product of social exclusion and injustice which can only be reversed by applying the principles of inclusion and social justice; That the world is in transition especially digitally. The big concern was that this transition is still not reflected in literacy programming, especially adult literacy. So, a call to action was made for all stakeholders to embrace such a transition in design and implementation of literacy activities. Concerns were raised over the technological divide whereby even for basic literacy technologies like a book and pen are not accessible to many. The multi-cultural social structure was identified as one barrier to literacy skills acquisition whereby 44 out of 56 languages in Uganda still lack an anthography. The neglect of people with disabilities in literacy programming was also highlighted as a big challenge and one that should to be addressed. Community learning centers were recommended as hubs for inclusive promotion of literacy and technological innovation. Two adult Literacy learners - Christine and Christopher, a husband and wife from Nwoya district, who had graduated on 5th September 2023 after a two-year integrated adult Literacy course testified before stakeholders on what it means to get a second chance to become literate at an advanced age. These represented over 2000 adult learners who completed their two-year learning cycle under the Integrated Community Learning for Wealth Creation (ICOLEW) Programme in Mpigi, Iganga, Namayingo and Nwoya districts. ICOLEW Programme is implemented by Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development with support from DVV International.