Ireland considers cutting aid
May 13, 2005
THE Irish government is to withhold Euros 2m (sh4.5b) aid over the way the Government is handling the political transition.
By Vision Reporter
THE Irish government is to withhold Euros 2m (sh4.5b) aid over the way the Government is handling the political transition.
“My foreign minister has indicated that consideration is being made to withhold two million Euros from the country programme but that decision has not specifically been taken,†Irish ambassador Mairtin O’Fainin said yesterday.
O’Fainin said he did not know when the decision would be taken but added that he was hopeful it would be soon.
“We have concerns regarding the handling of the process of constitutional change and the political transition.
“That is as much as we can say as of now,†the envoy said.
Last week, O’Fainin and finance minister Dr. Ezra Suruma signed a memorandum of understanding under which Ireland undertook to provide budgetary support of $109m (sh200b) for education and poverty-reduction.
O’Fainin said it was important that the process of constitutional change and political transition be handled in “an inclusive, transparent and fair manner, which will command broad confidence of the Ugandan people as well as Uganda’s international friends.â€
Britain last month withheld five million pounds (sh17b) in aid over similar concerns.
The British Government said the money was part of 40 million pounds for the financial year 2004/5. Donors contribute 52% of the national budget.
THE Irish government is to withhold Euros 2m (sh4.5b) aid over the way the Government is handling the political transition.
“My foreign minister has indicated that consideration is being made to withhold two million Euros from the country programme but that decision has not specifically been taken,†Irish ambassador Mairtin O’Fainin said yesterday.
O’Fainin said he did not know when the decision would be taken but added that he was hopeful it would be soon.
“We have concerns regarding the handling of the process of constitutional change and the political transition.
“That is as much as we can say as of now,†the envoy said.
Last week, O’Fainin and finance minister Dr. Ezra Suruma signed a memorandum of understanding under which Ireland undertook to provide budgetary support of $109m (sh200b) for education and poverty-reduction.
O’Fainin said it was important that the process of constitutional change and political transition be handled in “an inclusive, transparent and fair manner, which will command broad confidence of the Ugandan people as well as Uganda’s international friends.â€
Britain last month withheld five million pounds (sh17b) in aid over similar concerns.
The British Government said the money was part of 40 million pounds for the financial year 2004/5. Donors contribute 52% of the national budget.