By CHIMPREPORTS
The European Union (EU) has pledged continued support to Northern Uganda and other parts of the country, in areas such as education, biodiversity, pastoralism, agribusiness, access to justice climate finance and food security.
The EU Ambassador to Uganda, Jan Sadek sounded the commitment on Friday at the closing of the 5-year Development Initiative for Northern Uganda (DINU) program.
The Euros 150 million (about Shs 610 billion) program has been implemented in 41 districts in northern and parts of eastern Uganda since May 2018.
“EU remains committed to northern Uganda and our support does not end with the DINU program,” said Mr Sadek.
“There are already a number of ongoing new initiatives such as the Gender for Development, Improving Food Security And Resilience of Food Production Systems In Karamoja, and Promoting Resilient Communities And Local Economies In Uganda.”
“The EU will continue its support to the Ugandan people across the country including in Northern Uganda,” he added.
The Ambassador was responding to the numerous calls from officials from the Office of the Prime Minister as well as local leaders and other stakeholders who participated in and benefited from DINU.
This program, according to its national coordinator, Pamela Kabahesi, registered excellent results in all its targets which included improving food security, nutrition, and livelihood; improved infrastructure, good governance, and improved service delivery.
Under the program, she said, they were able to establish 1,267 demonstration gardens, distribute various agricultural inputs, and construct a total of 12 major markets and 11 small ones.
Under infrastructure; over 400 km of district and community access roads were established and upgraded; up to 8 valley tanks in Karamoja were built and 25 mini-grids in Lamwo were installed.
Minister of State for Northern Uganda, Hon Grace Kwiyucwiny who represented Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, commended the European Union for funding such an impactful program that has transformed the northern region.
The Minister also made an appeal to the benefactors to consider an extension of DINU in the future.
“The program employed the system of connecting the dots in that the interventions complemented each other and created a complete package for the communities which is truly remarkable,” she said.
“I look forward to continuing the great work started by the DINU Program…I have visited most of the sites and interacted with the people and I can tell you that their appreciation is true and also the request for continuation is deserving.”
“We started this journey 5 years ago, we have not moved 1000 miles, but we are somewhere and we have to continue.”
On his part, the Minister of State for Teso Affairs, Dr Kenneth Ongalo Obote also added his voice to the appeals for the renewal of DINU.
He noted however if the program is approved for a second phase, it should give more focus to Teso.
The eastern sub-region had only three districts of Amuria, Katakwi and Kapelebyong benefiting from the program.
“I would like to see DINU II with Teso getting a full orange this time like the other sub-regions, because the challenges we have in Teso, are not different from those in Northern Uganda and Karamoja,” he said.
The program closing event also had presentations from local leaders from benefiting districts who all shared their appreciation and appealed for its continuation.
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