EU increases funding to northern Uganda
THE European Union (EU) has increased direct funding for capacity-building activities in 19 districts in northern and north-eastern Uganda. The union has also cut down on the aid given through non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
By Geresom Musamali
THE European Union (EU) has increased direct funding for capacity-building activities in 19 districts in northern and north-eastern Uganda. The union has also cut down on the aid given through non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
“When I was in northern Uganda recently, some leaders observed that the charities get a lot of donor money for capacity-building but the local authorities are not adequately facilitated,†EU ambassador Vincent de Fisscher said on Thursday.
“We are cutting down on the funding for NGOs in order to directly finance capacity building in local authorities.â€
De Fisscher was launching the 9th European Development Fund for the Ministry of Local Government Support to the decentralisation programme.
A sh22b grant will be shared by the districts of Abim, Adjumani, Amuru, Apac, Budaka, Bugiri, Busia and Kaabong. Others are Kitgum, Kotido, Moroto, Moyo, Nakapiripirit, Nakasongola, Nebbi, Pader, Pallisa and Oyam.
“The programme will be part of the comprehensive Local Government Sector Investment Plan, which will hopefully lead to a fully respected decentralised sector in the future,†De Fisscher said.
“This is rebuilding communities and strengthening capacities of the district administrations as part of the overall peace, recovery and development plan.â€
The ambassador cautioned district leaders against embezzling the funds, saying the NGOs would still get some money to improve communication with local governments and monitor their performance against the agreed parameters.
The Uganda Local Governments’ Association has also been funded to train and strengthen local government councils in their legislative roles and the Local Government Finance Commission will also be supported to empower local councils in budget formulation and execution.
The local government under-secretary, Gideon Obbo, said the communities must plan the activities they would like to undertake, requisition the relevant funds, execute the projects and evaluate them.
THE European Union (EU) has increased direct funding for capacity-building activities in 19 districts in northern and north-eastern Uganda. The union has also cut down on the aid given through non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
“When I was in northern Uganda recently, some leaders observed that the charities get a lot of donor money for capacity-building but the local authorities are not adequately facilitated,†EU ambassador Vincent de Fisscher said on Thursday.
“We are cutting down on the funding for NGOs in order to directly finance capacity building in local authorities.â€
De Fisscher was launching the 9th European Development Fund for the Ministry of Local Government Support to the decentralisation programme.
A sh22b grant will be shared by the districts of Abim, Adjumani, Amuru, Apac, Budaka, Bugiri, Busia and Kaabong. Others are Kitgum, Kotido, Moroto, Moyo, Nakapiripirit, Nakasongola, Nebbi, Pader, Pallisa and Oyam.
“The programme will be part of the comprehensive Local Government Sector Investment Plan, which will hopefully lead to a fully respected decentralised sector in the future,†De Fisscher said.
“This is rebuilding communities and strengthening capacities of the district administrations as part of the overall peace, recovery and development plan.â€
The ambassador cautioned district leaders against embezzling the funds, saying the NGOs would still get some money to improve communication with local governments and monitor their performance against the agreed parameters.
The Uganda Local Governments’ Association has also been funded to train and strengthen local government councils in their legislative roles and the Local Government Finance Commission will also be supported to empower local councils in budget formulation and execution.
The local government under-secretary, Gideon Obbo, said the communities must plan the activities they would like to undertake, requisition the relevant funds, execute the projects and evaluate them.