Japan grant to Uganda hits $1bn

 

Japan’s grant assistance to Uganda has hit over $1b in the recent years, the Japanese ambassador Kazuo Minagawa disclosed on Wednesday.

 

Japan has been helping Uganda in the priority areas that are in line with the National Development Plan and the Peace, Recovery and Development Plan for northern Uganda.

 

Minagawa who was addressing guests at the 78th birthday celebrations of Japanese Emperor His Majesty Akihito of Japan said new support will now be geared towards infrastructure support to northern Uganda, agriculture, health and education.

 

“The cumulative assistance extended to Uganda totals around $1bn. In the area of infrastructures, major projects include the construction of a new 520 meter long Nile bridge in Jinja and the upgrade of the Atiak- Nimule road connecting Southern Sudan,” said Minagawa.

 

He pointed out that Japan is also supporting the electric grid interconnection of Nile Equatorial countries connecting to Rwanda as well as the Bujagali Power Plant interconnection transmission from Bujagali to Kawanda.

 

“For support to northern Uganda, various projects to promote return and resettlement of IDPs and rural road development are being implemented through JICA (Japan International Cooperation),” he said.

 

Minagawa told the guests at his Nakasero residence that Japan has also supported Uganda in the area of rice research and training through funding of Namulonge research center.

 

“It is our hope that the bilateral relationship will be further promoted through our joint efforts to expand areas of cooperation to include trade, investment, cultural exchange and tourism,” he said.

 

Regional cooperation state minister Asuman Kiyingi said the Japanese government support to Uganda has been instrumental in boosting economical development and addressing aspects of poverty on the country.

 

“We hail the support by the Japanese government and grant assistance in the various fields of agriculture and infrastructural support,” he said.