THE Commonwealth is to set up a centre in northern Uganda to coordinate activities geared towards redeveloping the area, the Gulu deputy chairman has said, reports Chris Kiwawulo.

Makmot Kitara said the Commonwealth assured them of 500,000 pounds (about sh1.7b) for the centre, but more funds were still needed. He said construction of the centre, to be located in Gulu municipality, would start soon.

Kitara was speaking at a meeting with the new United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) resident representative and UN resident coordinator in Uganda, Theophane Nikyema, at the district offices recently.
Nikyema’s special assistant, Sarah Hilding, the assistant in charge of crisis prevention and recovery programme, Sarah Ssebatindira and national coordinator for Gulu, Bruno Otto, attended.

Flanked by chief administrative officer Patrick Langol and the works and technical services secretary, Alex Otim, Kitara said peace would quicken development. He said the district was anticipating fruitful results from the Juba talks.

Kitara appealed to UNDP and other donors for support towards setting up the centre, adding that it would help improve on agriculture and trade in the northern region.