£16m for Northern Uganda recovery programme

In a move to spur economic regeneration in northern Uganda, the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID) has provided £16.6 million for enterprise development and job creation.

The funds will support programmes including a small grants scheme, Business Uganda Development Scheme (BUDS), satellite training and expansion of northern Uganda Youth Development Centre.

Speaking at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding at the Finance ministry yesterday, DFID head of office, Jane Rintoul said in addition to creating new enterprises, the funds will also support the expansion of the existing businesses in agriculture and trade.

Funds to investors in the region will be provided through the Private Sector Foundation Uganda and Rintoul said about 10,000 jobs will be created over the next four years.

She said: “Bringing together small scale farmers to benefit from better market access, storage facilities and knowledge sharing on better production methods will return prosperity and opportunities to the region.”

The grant will also enable the government to conduct a comprehensive economic recovery analysis to identify barriers to economic growth and provide policy makers, private investors and development partners with a sound evidence base to inform future investments.

Develop skills
Private Sector Foundation Uganda executive director Gideon Badagawa said under BUDS, PSFU will work with the community to develop skills needed for sustainable enterprises, employment and value addition to meet market expectations.

It’s expected that over 4, 000 people will be provided with vocational and life skills training opportunities over the next one year to link training directly to the job market.