EU gives sh100b for projects in north and Karamoja region
Mar 09, 2009
THE Government has secured over sh100b from the European Union (EU) to develop agricultural projects in the north and Karamoja regions.
By Anne Mugisa
THE Government has secured over sh100b from the European Union (EU) to develop agricultural projects in the north and Karamoja regions.
Some of the money will also be used for the maintenance of the country’s roads.
The agreement for the 45m euros was signed by the finance minister, Syda Bbumba and Koos Richelle, the director general of the European Commission office for external aid, in Kampala yesterday.
About 20m euros is for the northern Uganda agricultural recovery plan, 15m euros for Karamoja and 10m euros for road support.
Bumba said the 20m euros allocated to the north is to help in promotion of subsistence and commercialised agriculture there.
She said there will be increased availability of agricultural financing for production, processing and marketing the products.
The 15m euros to Karamoja would be used to promote agro-pastoral production and animal health as well as alternative income generation opportunities.
“We think through this lifestyle, the economic set up of Karamoja will change.
“We want the animals in Karamoja to become tradable commodities instead of just being status symbols,†Bbumba said.
Five districts in Karamoja are targeted. They are Nakapiripirit, Moroto, Kotido, Kaabong and Abim.
She also said 10m euros would support key road sector institutions like the Uganda National Roads Authority.
Richelle said 22.5b euros was available for development support to 78 countries over the next five years.
He praised Uganda as one of seven countries out of the 150 supported by the EU that had made impressive progress in implementing the Millennium Development Goals.
THE Government has secured over sh100b from the European Union (EU) to develop agricultural projects in the north and Karamoja regions.
Some of the money will also be used for the maintenance of the country’s roads.
The agreement for the 45m euros was signed by the finance minister, Syda Bbumba and Koos Richelle, the director general of the European Commission office for external aid, in Kampala yesterday.
About 20m euros is for the northern Uganda agricultural recovery plan, 15m euros for Karamoja and 10m euros for road support.
Bumba said the 20m euros allocated to the north is to help in promotion of subsistence and commercialised agriculture there.
She said there will be increased availability of agricultural financing for production, processing and marketing the products.
The 15m euros to Karamoja would be used to promote agro-pastoral production and animal health as well as alternative income generation opportunities.
“We think through this lifestyle, the economic set up of Karamoja will change.
“We want the animals in Karamoja to become tradable commodities instead of just being status symbols,†Bbumba said.
Five districts in Karamoja are targeted. They are Nakapiripirit, Moroto, Kotido, Kaabong and Abim.
She also said 10m euros would support key road sector institutions like the Uganda National Roads Authority.
Richelle said 22.5b euros was available for development support to 78 countries over the next five years.
He praised Uganda as one of seven countries out of the 150 supported by the EU that had made impressive progress in implementing the Millennium Development Goals.