EU Gives K’jong US$3.8m

PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni’s peace initiative which began with the current efforts to remove an estimated 10,000 guns from the Karimojong, have won the sympathy of the European Union which has given US$3.78 (Sh6b)to support the region. Cyprian Musoke writes that the money is to support the peace initiatives to stop the bloodletting and widespread violence that has been the norm in the region. Speaking at the signing of the deal, the Head of EU Delegation, Ambassador Sigmund Illing, promised more support to the region. “This challenging agreement marks a new phase of EU involvement in Karamoja and re-affirms the strong commitment of the EU to the region,” Illing said. He said the EU had recently funded several projects in the region, including the Karamoja Projects Implementation Unit (KPIU). “Encouraged by the positive outcome of the KPIU, the EU has decided to fund a new phase of the programme to the tune of 4.2 million Euros, equivalent to sh6.5b,” he said. The new programme aims at initiating dialogue with the local communities and to let them define development projects they consider of high priority. Ends