Nordics in Uganda mark national day together

The Nordic countries are Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. They have a combined population of approximately 25 million people with a collective GDP of $1.6 trillion, which makes the per capita income amongst the highest in the world. The five nations share much common history as well as a profound respect for human rights, good governance and economic equality as the pillars of their societies.

Again this year the Nordic countries represented in Uganda will hold the Nordic National Day as a tribute to their countries national days and to show the high degree of unity between the Nordic people and their governments.

The national days for Norway and Denmark are held on their constitutional days May 17 and June 5 respectively while Iceland’s national day falls on June 17 and Sweden’s on June 6. The Nordic Embassies of Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden to Uganda, will hold their traditional joint Nordic National Day reception today.

The Nordic countries co-operate in a wide range of areas such as research, the environment, welfare and culture. The first step to the current formal, political co-operation was taken after the World War II and in 1952 when the Nordic Council was formed. Its first concrete result was the introduction of a common labour market and free movement of the countries’ citizens across borders in 1952.

These economies are closely integrated, and removal of trade and investment barriers has benefited all countries and stimulated growth in all of them. The political co-operation is built on common values and a willingness to achieve results that contribute to a dynamic development and increased Nordic competencies and competitiveness.

“The Nordic countries are probably the best governed in the world”. So ran a headline in the Economist magazine in early February.

The Nordic countries were further highlighted as the next supermodel when it came to governance and reforms of society. It further said that if you were being reborn today, you should be born in the Nordic countries. The Nordics cluster at the top of league tables of everything from economic competitiveness to social health to happiness.

The Nordic countries find strength in sharing and learning from each other’s experiences. The long tradition of developing as a region based on shared Nordic strengths is globally unique. Nordic cooperation revolves around a common understanding of shared social values such as respect for universal human rights, democracy, transparency and a tradition of open and frank debate-climate.

The Nordic countries can also pride themselves that they have the least corrupt governance system in the world with zero tolerance to any form of corruption.

The Nordic social model is renowned for the universal nature of its welfare provision, which is based on the core values of equal opportunities, social solidarity and security for all. The model promotes social rights and the principle that everyone is entitled to equal access to social and health services, education and culture; regardless of income and assets.

The Nordic countries have avoided economic downturn and high inequality largely because of political willingness to reform the public sector, making the state far more efficient and responsive to modern day challenges.

Economically the Nordic countries are characterized by low budget deficits, a large public sector with high taxes, and an inclusive universal welfare. The Nordic countries base their wealth on fish, agriculture, hydrocarbon extraction, various forms of renewable energy, transport, high value manufacturing, ICT and design.

The Nordic countries have independent central banks and deregulated and strict budget rules. This framework has given the countries a stable low-inflation environment and long-term political stability. Also, all Nordic countries have open economies where labor unions are positive towards new technology and innovation.

The economic performance also benefits from low transaction costs, generally delivered by social trust, adherence to laws and very low levels of corruption. The Nordic countries pride themselves on the transparency of their governments, and efficiency of public institutions.

The Nordic countries have been in Uganda for many years and the main objective for the Nordic countries’ cooperation with Uganda is to support poverty alleviation and Uganda’s efforts to stimulate growth and employment within a democratic society with rule of law and adherence to universal human rights.

In the recently launched Vision 2040, “Ugandans aspire to live and work in a peaceful, secure, harmonious and stable country where the rule of law prevails and respect for all human rights observed.

Ugandans want a corruption free nation with strong democratic structures and systems”. This is in line with the shared Nordic values and Uganda should continue to look north in its search for a development model.

In the Nordic countries, we have long experiences with developing systems, which are based on transparency, and we are now in the fortunate position that we can share our ideas and beliefs with Uganda in an open-minded discussion. 

The Nordic countries continue to support Ugandan state and non-state actors striving towards a democratic, prosperous and peaceful Uganda, where corrupt practices are eliminated and human rights are respected.

Our support is also aimed at improved accountability in local service delivery; fighting corruption; and transparency & accountability in Natural resource management.

Denmark, Norway and Sweden support the Democratic Governance Facility (DGF) whose support extends to larger networks such as the national Anti-Corruption Coalition of Uganda (ACCU), but also regional and local coalitions. DGF has also supported Parliamentary Forum on Oil & Gas (PFOG) to review and revise three draft Petroleum Bills and (oil-related aspects of) the Public Finance Bill to ensure adequate checks and balances in the legal, regulatory and institutional framework of Uganda’s incipient oil sector.

The Nordics’ support to Uganda has also extended to various oversight institutions including the Justice Law and Order sector at large, Parliamentary Accounts Committee, IGG, DPP, and among others the Office of the Auditor General. The Auditor General in particular has been pivotal in unearthing various corruption scandals including the fraud in the Office of the Prime Minister.

This forced several Development Partners to suspend support through Government systems. We however commend the Government of Uganda for the decisive steps taken and leadership demonstrated in the last eight months, in trying to restore fiduciary confidence in the Ugandan government systems.


3Things about Nordic Countries
The economies of the Nordic countries are closely integrated
 Their political co-operation is built on common values
 They are probably the best governed in the world according to the Economist magazine

Norway engagement in private sector, higher education and governance

Norway’s engagement in Uganda covers private sector cooperation, higher education and research, civil society cooperation as well as the wider development cooperation in areas of clean energy, oil for development, climate change, gender, peace and conflict resolution, and governance.(Norwegian Ambassador Thorbjørn Gaustadsæther-left)

Norway shares its education experiences through its long history collaboration with Makerere University from the 1960s. Over time it has developed into a multifaceted collaborative effort that has had significant contribution to higher education in Uganda and the building of human resource capacity as a whole.

The support has greatly helped in expanding physical infrastructure; development of the human resource in various fields through Master and PhD studies as well as research grants.

Contribution to ICT-enabled operations in administration and Library service delivery; enhanced capacity for gender mainstreaming and refurbishment of laboratories with specialised scientific equipment have also been undertaken. Other areas are; strengthened research and research coordination and publication of research papers, outreach activities that link the University to local communities are also supported.

The support from the Norwegian Government to Makerere University includes projects like: Institutional Development Support, NUFU, NOMA, NORAD, collaborations and partnership with sister Universities in Norway, as well as beneficiaries in higher degrees (Masters and PhDs).

Some of specialised thematic research cases include research cooperation on climate change, -Masters in renewable energy systems and PhD in Bioenergy. Looking ahead collaborative efforts with Norwegian Universities through the Norad supported Norhed programme will further the historical linkages between Norwegian and Ugandan Institutions of higher learning.

Both Norway’s and Uganda’s development  polices put emphasis on Public Private Partnerships(PPPs).The Norwegian support through Enterprise Uganda on Strengthening Women Entrepreneurs Project (SWEP) has enhanced the capacity of both rural and urban women entrepreneurs to grow and expand their businesses.

The Sawlog project has also helped to stimulate private sector engagement and investment in commercial tree planting. Norwegian companies are continuing to show interest in investing in Uganda and have been instrumental in providing solutions to Uganda’s power needs, we can specifically highlight, Tronder Power Company which is the developer of the Bugoye power plant in Kasese, Jacbosen Electro at Namanve which is a back bone of power production. The Norwegian/Ugandan jointly owned East African Petroleum Services is constructing an “oil base” on the shores of Lake Albert, which will provide an effective end environmentally friendly way to organize provision of services to the oil fields.

The Nordic Business House constitutes an opportunity for new business people to Uganda to share office facilities and experiences with more established ones. It has contributed to increased trade and investment linkages between Norway and Uganda. The Norwegian investment fund Norfund, has recently increased its shareholding in DFCU bank and also supports commercial forestry investments, Agriculture and Energy.

Norway’s development policy puts emphasis on sustainable growth, poverty reduction and fair distribution within individual countries. This position was emphasized by the Norwegian Minister of International Development Heikki Eidsvoll Holmås in his sharing for Prosperity speech at New York University on 16 April 2013.

He also argues that fair distribution of national resources must be included in the new development targets that will replace the UN Millennium Development Goals after 2015. The Norwegian Government will continue to attach a lot of importance to sustainable management of natural resources, job creation, fiscal and financial administration, human rights, democracy, transparency and the fight against illicit financial flows and tax havens.

Norway prides herself on efficient and sustainable management of its natural resources (Hydro power, fish and Petroleum). Norway shares this experience through our rural eletrificification and Oil for Development programme (OfD) with the aim of assisting developing countries in managing their petroleum resources in a way that contributes to long-term poverty reduction and takes proper account of the environment.

Norway’s OfD programme with Uganda started in 2006 and has since contributed to the development of solid policy and legal frameworks, and continues to build capacity in responsible institutions to implement and operationalise these frameworks.

Norwegian development policy takes a rights-based approach. This entails not only strengthening the national authorities’ ability to protect their citizens’ rights, but also increasing citizens’ knowledge of their rights and their ability to claim these rights.

This is reflected in Norway’s support to Uganda where human rights, including women’s rights, is a key pillar. We cooperate with civil society, UN agencies and government institutions. Several projects are managed by The Democratic Governance Facility (DGF) - facility basket fund with contributions from: Austria, Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the UK and the European Union to support state and non-state partners to strengthen democratization, protect human rights, improve access to justice, promote peaceful coexistence and enhance accountability in Uganda.

Norway has zero tolerance for corruption and the fight against corruption is a crucial element in Norway’s development efforts geared towards promoting good governance at the local, national and global levels.

The Norwegian government is an active promoter of transparency globally and holds itself accountable to the internationally agreed Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) standard by publishing receipts from extractive industries. In Uganda, Norway supports Government own programme, the Public Financial Management programme (FINMAP), which support extends to the various oversight institutions including the Office of Auditor General (OAG).

Deepening and broadening the relations between Sweden and Uganda
Last year illustrated the deepened and broadened relationship that is emerging between our countries. In November 2012 Hon. Amelia Kyambadde, Minister for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives visited Sweden to discuss business opportunities between our two countries. Hon. Kyambadde’s conversations with executives of Swedish corporations in food production, ICT and transportation made lasting impressions. This was a follow up to Sweden’s Minister for Trade Ms. Ewa Björling’s visit to Uganda in January 2012.
(Swedish ambassador Urban Andersson-left)

The Embassy of Sweden is experiencing an increased interest from Swedish society and businesses for Uganda and the region. Hence, it was not a coincidence that five cabinet ministers recently represented Sweden at World Economic Forum in South Africa.

Steady growth and its corresponding demand and opportunities in Uganda serve as an important driver, to which Swedish companies are well suited to respond. A Swedish-Ugandan Business Association (SUBA) was constituted and launched in Kampala last year. The East African Chamber of Commerce in Stockholm supports businesses from both Sweden and Uganda.

Sweden is committed to promote trade and investments as key to reaching Uganda’s ambitions as set out in the Vision 2040. Through our development cooperation programme, Sweden supports private sector development, health care, democratic governance and research.

One concrete example is our long-standing bilateral research cooperation that is building research capacity and production of knowledge in Uganda. This cooperation is equally important for Sweden as it brings international quality and depth to Swedish education and research.

The Swedish and Ugandan resource base could be further utilised to link research results to economic development for mutual benefit to our countries. The cooperation between 10 Swedish municipalities and their Ugandan counterparts is an example of our many people to people contacts.

Uganda’s active engagement for regional integration and security is commendable. The strength that stems from regional integration is something that Sweden has experienced through the Nordic model and through the European Union. On peace and security, Uganda’s significant troop contribution to the African Union Mission in Somalia, has been key to the positive developments we now see in Somalia.

Sweden is, in various ways, active in supporting Uganda’s capacity building with regard to training for and participation in international peace and security missions.

The Framework Agreement on Peace, Security and Cooperation for the DR Congo and the region constitutes  a comprehensive approach. Uganda, like all parties involved, has a critical role in its successful implementation. The international community has high expectations on Uganda’s chairmanship of the International Conference for the Great Lakes Region.

Uganda’s facilitation of the Kampala talks is an important contribution. Against this background, Sweden’s Minister for Development Cooperation Ms. Gunilla Carlsson recently visited Uganda to discuss developments and the way forward in the Great Lakes Region.

To conclude, relations between our countries are both broad and deep and new arenas for cooperation are emerging. We support Uganda in its ambition for socio economic transformation, based on good governance, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, trade and sustainable growth.


Iceland pushes for a gender perspective

Mention of gender and many will turn their heads saying ‘women issues again’! True, often the conversation about gender narrows down to the talk about women because in most societies they are the least privileged, with lesser opportunities. Is it then not just fair that the so called women issues are also addressed if we are to achieve equality? That aside, we all know that when we embrace a gender perspective to our development approaches it is not just about women issues, it is about focusing on the way in which social status and relationships between men and women affect their ability to participate in development cooperation and benefit from it.  (Iceland ambassador, Gisli Palsson- left)

It is assumed that the subservient social status of women is not only an obstacle to women, but also impedes social and economic development and is as such emphatically not just a “women’s issue”. (ICEIDA, 2005) Icelandic International Development Agency (ICEIDA) like many other development agencies puts emphasis on gender equality based on two principal factors. Firstly, the understanding that gender equality is a human rights issue. Secondly, the affirmation that gender equality is a prerequisite for effective development (ICEIDA, 2005).

ICEIDA has a gender equality policy that seeks to promote gender equality in partner countries by mainstreaming gender into the Agency supported projects. As a demonstrated commitment, gender equality and environmental sustainability are cross cutting themes in the strategy for Iceland cooperation, 2011 – 2014.

The same is reflected in ICEIDA Uganda Country strategy to improve livelihoods of fishing communities (2013 – 2016). One might ask what gender has to do with fisheries sector. But take a quick look at the numbers of men and women involved in fisheries activities across the fish value chain.

There are a number of very strategic questions we need to reflect on. Do you see the numbers of women involved in fish processing and marketing, what are the underlying responsibilities, opportunities and challenges, how about their rights?
Look at the poor men and the few women involved in the actual fish catching, what about the issues of access, ownership, control that are pertaining to their work.

Who is addressing those questions in the sector? ICEIDA provides support the respective central government departments and local governments to develop the relevant policies and strategies that will address the underlying gender issues in the sector with the aim of achieving effective development. In other sectors, working with the Nordic partners (Royal Norwegian Embassy, Royal Danish Embassy) ICEIDA supported the Climate Change Unit of Ministry of Water and Environment to develop and implement strategic activities highlighting the effect of climate change on gender relations in Uganda

 A study was carried out in collaboration with School of Women and Gender studies, Makerere University on the impacts and strategies for mitigation and adaptation to climate change in Uganda. Other related interventions have included the short course training on Gender and Climate change for district officials, NGOs and secondary school teachers. Awareness creation and advocacy on gender and climate change is paramount; with the same partners.

ICEIDA has supported special sessions during the Conference of Parties (COP 17 and COP 18) to lobby for functional incorporation of gender in the climate change discourse and action.With the above experiences, and the renewed commitment to gender, ICEIDA’s support to gender will increasingly get visible.

Uganda is fertile ground for such, given her long history of dedication to gender. We are sharpening our gender tools and cleaning our gender lenses, so our partners should brace themselves for brighter gender sensitive development cooperation.

Denmark fronts the right to a better life
Poverty must be fought with human rights and economic growth. This is the strong message from Denmark’s new development strategy “the right to a better life”, putting emphasis on rights based approach to development. The objective is to combat poverty and promote human rights, democracy, sustainable development, peace and stability in conformity with the United Nations conventions on Human Rights.(.Danish Ambassador, Dan E. Frederiksen-left)

Uganda is like Denmark a signatory to the conventions on human rights and has like other members of the UN pledged to achieve the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Today, many of these rights are enshrined in the 1995 Ugandan Constitution. Human rights, however, is not something that can be taken for granted. During the Obote and Amin era a number of Ugandans had to flee the country seeking refuge in Denmark and other Nordic countries.

Today the situation is different, but human rights is a precarious thing – so difficult to build and implement, and so easy to undermine and take away. Uganda has made progress in establishing a policy and institutional framework to promote good governance, rule of law and multiparty democracy. A key challenge remains in the full operationalisation of policies and institutions.

Denmark is a staunch partner with Uganda in enhancing human rights, rule of law and building an inclusive democracy for all. Human rights are a means as well as an end in our development cooperation and part and parcel of everything we do. We cannot promote human rights by promoting only a few of them. Freedom of expression is a powerful tool only if you can read and write. And learning at school is difficult if you are hungry. Human rights are as such mutually reinforcing, interdependent, universal and indivisible.

Denmark, therefore, promotes the full range of human rights, whether they are civil, political, economic, social or cultural. All people have the right to a better life with equal opportunities. We cannot fight poverty and fulfill human rights without a solid economic foundation and inclusive economic institutions. Sustained growth is therefore a necessary, but not in itself a sufficient requirement for a lasting reduction in poverty. It is the political choice states make which determine whether growth benefits the population at large and reduce inequality.

Denmark therefore works for sustainable and inclusive economic growth and employment creation. Inclusive growth should be centred on people, create equal access to resources and promote employment. This is why Denmark also has a strong focus on growth and job creation in our assistance to Uganda.

The support is focused on the agricultural sector in order to improve business conditions with support to advisory services and technology transfer, in addition to support to agricultural related loans, thereby ensuring the critical components for production besides labour, namely capital and technology.

Through efforts to fight poverty, promote human rights, deepening democracy, support HIV/AIDS prevention, water and sanitation as well as economic growth, Denmark’s development cooperation contributes to building inclusive political and economic institutions that ensure people’s rights and a better life. These core values form the basis of our work in Uganda. You can find more on DANIDA’s homepage.

3THINGS ABOUT DENMARK
•    Denmark is a staunch partner with Uganda in enhancing human rights
•     Denmark promotes the full range of human rights, whether they are civil, political, economic, social or cultural
•    Denmark also has a strong focus on growth and job creation