Denmark Offers Sh140b

Nov 10, 2001

DENMARK yesterday pledged to give Uganda not less than 325m Danish Kroners (about sh75b) in grants this financial year and at least 280m kroners (About sh65b) yearly between 2002-2005.

By Frank Sserwaniko DENMARK yesterday pledged to give Uganda not less than 325m Danish Kroners (about sh75b) in grants this financial year and at least 280m kroners (About sh65b) yearly between 2002-2005. The Ministry of Finance Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, Chris Kassami, signed the grant agreement on behalf of Uganda while the head of department for East and West Africa at the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nanna Hvidt, signed for her government. The signing marked the end of one-week bilateral discussions between the two governments. It was witnessed by the Danish Ambassador to Uganda Flemming Pedersen. Kassami said the consultations covered a various issues, including the capacity of districts to play their roles in development and revenue enhancement. Other areas covered were the diversification of exports and fighting corruption. Pedersen said the grants are in recognition of the good management of Uganda’s economy, including high fiscal discipline and credible poverty alleviation programs. He said the grants would be channelled towards supporting water, sanitation, roads, health and agriculture projects. “It is good to note that Uganda has achieved significant reduction in poverty from 56% of the population below the poverty line in 1992 to 35% last year,” Pedersen said. He said Denmark would continue to support interventions promoting human rights and democratisation. Denmark also promised to continue supporting the improvement of Kampala-Fort Portal corridor and Mityana-Busega and Kyengegwa-Kyenjojo roads. Pedersen told The New Vision that the delegation held separate meetings with the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs, Eriya Kategaya. Ends

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