EU Launches EUR 132.8 Million Initiative to Support Northern Uganda Development
The Government of Uganda (GoU) in partnership with the European Union (EU) launch ambitious programme worth 150.6 million Euros to eradicate poverty and under nutrition in Northern Uganda.
The programme, implemented by the Office of the Prime Minister will also consolidate stability in the region and strengthen foundations for sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development. Titled, Development Initiative for Northern Uganda (DINU), the new programme has been put together with a 132.8 million Euros grant from the European Union, 11.9 million Euros from the Government of Uganda and 5.9 million Euros from implementing partners.
DINU is a multi-sectoral integrated programme supporting interventions in three specific interlinked sectors: (1) Food Security, Nutrition and Livelihoods (2) Infrastructures (transport, logistics, water, energy) and (3) Good Governance supported with a diversity of activities and interventions to be implemented by multiple actors, partners and stakeholders at central level as well as at district and sub-county level in Northern Uganda. The programme covers the five sub-regions of Acholi, Karamoja, Lango, Teso and West Nile and will be implemented across 33 districts.
“The EU recognises the diverse set of challenges and opportunities faced by the people of Northern Uganda and believes that the approach used under the DINU programme by moving from a sector-oriented support towards an integrated territorial approach is key to ensure sustained impact on the ground. This will of course not be possible without a crucial facilitating role of the local authorities and therefore strong support will be provided to local governments to better fulfil their mandates and better respond to the needs of citizens,” said EU Ambassador to Uganda, H.E Attilio Pacifici.
Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda welcomed the new development initiative and thanked the European Union for being a consistent and valued partner with the Government of Uganda to support the recovery and development of Northern Uganda over the years.
“From the time when our people in Northern Uganda were still in internally displaced people’s camps as a result of conflict and insurgency, the EU was by our side, helping with relief and many other forms support. With the end of the war and insecurity in the region, we are delighted that the EU has remained with us to support the recovery and development process as demonstrated by this DINU programme to eradicate poverty, under nutrition, building infrastructure and fostering good governance,” Prime Minister Rugunda said.
Under the overall objective of “consolidating stability of Northern Uganda, eradicating poverty, under-nutrition and strengthening the foundations for sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development” various DINU programme interventions shall be implemented with the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), responsible for implementation of some activities, and as the supervising authority, responsible for oversight and monitoring of the DINU implementation as well as for coordination between partners.
In support of the overall DINU implementation, key implementation partners – DFID/ Trademark East Africa, GIZ, UNCDF and UNICEF have been identified to undertake a wide-range of activities related to the specific objectives of the programme. More actors will join along the way.
The launch event, held on 4 May at the Office of the Prime Minister was led by Hon. Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, the Prime Minister of Uganda and H.E Attilio Pacifici, the EU Ambassador and Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Uganda.