Irish Aid Secretary General visits Uganda

The Irish Aid Secretary General, Niall Burgess, arrived in Uganda for a five day visit.

Burgess together with the Permanent Under Secretary of state in the United Kingdom foreign and commonwealth office Sir Simon McDonald, the Irish Aid Director General, Ruairi de Burca, and the Africa Unit Director Fionnuala Gilsenan will visit Irish Aid projects in the country.

On Monday the team visited Gender Based Violence Prevention project at Makumbi Railway Market, in Ndeeba Parish, Kampala.

Sir Simon McDonald, Permanent Under Secretary of state in the United Kingdom foreign and commonwealth office addressing slum dwellers in Ndeeba railways Market on July 3,2017.

 
The team on Tuesday proceeded to Karamoja to visit Irish Aid projects in Moroto and Napak districts.

While in Karamoja, Burgess, is expected to visit Manyatta (homestead) and nearby Social Assistance Grant for Elderly (SAGE) pay-point in Napak District.

He will also officially commission the Irish Aid office in Moroto district.

UK and Irish officials walk through Ndeeba Market

 
According to Danal Cronin the Irish Ambassador to Uganda, Ireland has invested over 500 million Euros in Uganda since the embassy was opened in 1994.

From 2016-2020, Irish Aid has reinforced its commitment to support the sector in the Karamoja region-one of the most vulnerable parts of the country.

“We have a new plan for Uganda, between now and 2020 where we are investing an additional 89 million Euros and most of it is directed to the region of Karamoja, which is a big focus for us,” Donan says.

From 2005 to 2010, Irish Aid provided budget or sector support worth €38 million 9sh147bn) to the education sector in Uganda.

This support targeted infrastructural improvements, curriculum reform and teacher education in the primary sector, as well as curriculum reform in secondary education.

United Kingdom and Irish ministers and embassy officials watch a Ludo game by Ndeeba slum dwellers who use the game to discuss matters of domestic violence

 
Through Irish Aid, a total of 11 secondary schools, two teacher training colleges, 21 primary schools have been built and rehabilitated in Uganda. The programme has also seen 1,500 girls and boys given bursaries in the Karamoja region.

In partnership with UNICEF, Irish Aid is focusing on improving literacy and numeracy at lower primary level.

Irish Aid is also providing a lot of support towards humanitarian assistance to refugees and other projects. Also support has been given in the areas of health, social protection, HIV prevention and good governance.