KAMPALA –The office of the prime minister has started discussions with district leaders in Northern Uganda on the on-going ongoing implementation of key interventions and future activities under the Development Initiative for Northern Uganda (DINU),
The DINU is a Government of Uganda programme supported by the European Union (EU) aimed at improving livelihoods of people in the five sub-regions of Acholi, Karamoja, Lango, Teso, and West Nile.
These discussions started in Amuria District Oct 22 and will be followed by a similar event in Moroto District on tomorrow Oct 24; Pader District on 26 Oct, Oyam District on 29 Oct and will be concluded with Zombo District on 31 Oct 2018.
The Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda said DINU is supported by the EU and key partners (DFID, GIZ, UNCDF, UNICEF) and will be implemented from 2017 to 2023 in 33 districts of Northern Uganda.
He explained that it is a multi-sectoral integrated programme supporting interventions in three interlinked sectors: (1) Market oriented agriculture, food security and nutrition, livelihoods; (2) Infrastructure (transport, logistics, water, energy) and (3) Good governance for improved service delivery.
He revealed that OPM is responsible for the overall supervision of the programme in partnership with local governments and a wide range of stakeholders.
“DINU is a welcome and timely intervention that builds on successive programmes aimed at the development and transformation of livelihoods in Northern Uganda. We commend all the partners behind the implementation of this initiative and look forward to practical and tangible results in the lives of the people on the ground”, said Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda.
EU Ambassador H.E Attilio Paciffici said EU is strongly committed to supporting long-lasting peace, security and stability in Northern Uganda and DINU is a flagship programme for them.
“I am proud that together with the Government of Uganda and other stakeholders, we are able to help Northern Uganda develop and profit from new opportunities, especially in the field of agriculture and through improved opportunities to trade. We will continue to regularly consult with local governments on the progress and impact of the interventions to ensure that we get the best results for the many beneficiaries of the DINU programme,” said H.E Paciffici.
Mr Isaiah Kitimbo, the Communication and Visibility Officer, Office of the Prime Minister DINU [National Programme Management, PMU] they will have five sub-regional events bringing together more than 600 political and technical leaders from national and district levels to interact with OPM and key partners to discuss the core activities and implementation plans of the programme.
He revealed that other stakeholders invited include community and civil society organisation representatives, private sector representatives and the media.
A press release seen by PML Daily says that more importantly, the events also outline the role and engagement of the local district leaders in the DINU programme’s implementation and provide information on the expected deliverables to the districts’ stakeholders and communities of Northern Uganda.
Background
The programme was initiated in 2017 and is funded with a 132.8 million Euros grant from the European Union, 11.9 million Euros from the Government of Uganda and 5.9 million Euros from implementing partners.
Districts of coverage:
DINU covers 33 beneficiary districts of Agago, Amuru, Gulu, Kitgum, Lamwo, Nwoya, Omoro and Pader in Acholi region; Abim, Amudat, Kaabong, Kotido, Moroto, Nakapiripirit and Napak in Karamoja region; Alebtong, Amolatar, Apac, Dokolo, Kole, Lira, Otuke and Oyam in Lango region; Amuria and Katakwi in Teso region and Adjumani, Arua, Koboko, Maracha, Moyo, Nebbi, Yumbe and Zombo in West Nile region.
Implementation modalities
OPM has set up a programme management unit of 21 staff based in Gulu, Kampala and Moroto, responsible for the overall coordination, monitoring and execution of the various components of the programme as well as for the direct implementation of some specific activities.
In support of the overall DINU implementation, key implementing partners have undertaken a wide-range of activities related to the specific objectives of the programme. They include: Department for International Development (DFID)/Trademark East Africa, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
UNRA in cooperation with the Ministry of Works and Transport is managing the rehabilitation and upgrading of the Atiak-Laropi road section and more actors – in particular NGOs – will join along the way after the launch of a call for proposals to implement a set of activities in the area of agriculture, food security, nutrition and livelihoods. Ends
