Uganda and Korea to construct technical colleges

By Cecilia Okoth

The Government of Uganda and Korea have signed a sh107b agreement and another of sh10.2b to construct technical colleges in Kampala and a food factory in Soroti, according to the State Minister of Foreign Affairs Okello Oryem. 

Oryem was addressing guests at a reception to commemorate the 4,347th anniversary of Korea’s National Foundation day and the 67th Armed Forces day at the ambassador’s residence in Nakasero on Tuesday.

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Deputy Chief of Uganda People Defense forces (UPDF) Lieutenant General Charles Angina (right) together with  other military attaches during the celebrations to mark South Korea National day

“Uganda is interested in working with South Korea with the view of steadily improving investments in the country and applaud the South Korean Government for funding several agricultural projects, a good gesture in agricultural development,” he said adding that the centres will play a major role in addressing the challenges faced in agriculture.

In May this year, President Yoweri Museveni visited South Korea and had the opportunity to discuss trade between the two countries.

Park Jong-Dae, the ambassador of South Korea said this year so far, Korea had invested USD20m approximately Sh74bn in five new projects in Uganda meant to improve livelihoods.

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A cross section of guests serving Korean dishes.

The projects that are under the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) are mainly in the fields of maternal health and Saemaul Undong, a Korean village movement project akin to community voluntarism (also known as Bulungi Bwansi).

“It was just four years ago that we re-opened our embassy but Korea-Uganda partnership has evolved expediently over the years to the point that it is also showing signs of maturity,” He said before proposing a toast with Okello Oryem, the State Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The Maternal Health Projects (MHP) include KOICA-UNICEF MHP for Karamoja and Acholi region worth USD8.55m (sh31.5b), Save the Children MHP for the Fort Portal area (USD3.3m) sh12b and World Vision East Uganda (Butaleja) MHP costing USD4.36m approximately sh16b.

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Diplomats attending the reception to  mark South Korean National day in Kampala 07/10/15.PHOTO: Wilfred Sanya. 

Other projects include Mpigi District Saemaul Undong Villages pilot project program worth USD2.5m (sh9b) and the UNDP Saemaul Undong for the districts of Kabarole, Maracha and Luuka worth USD1m (sh3b).

In the area of ICT, Jong-Dae said an Information Access Center had been opened to the public as well as the Ministry of ICT of Uganda alongside scholarships awarded to Ugandan students in Korean universities in the field of ICT.

Uganda and Korea established relations since March 26 1963 and continues to support the inter Korea peace process and reconciliation efforts.