LocationsUNDP welcomes Prime Minister of Uganda
May 31, 2024
Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Robinah Nabbanja (in pink), is welcomed to the UNDP offices
Kampala, Uganda – May 22, 2024 – For the first time ever, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Uganda hosted the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja to its country office.
Her visit aimed to solidify the long-standing partnership between UNDP and the Government of Uganda, which has endured for over 50 years. She was accompanied by key government officials, including the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Mr. Dustan Balaba; the Executive Director of the National Planning Authority, Dr. Joseph Muvawala; the Commissioner for Karamoja Affairs, Mr. Nobert Katsirabo; and the Coordinator of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Secretariat, Dr. Albert Byamugisha. Their presence underscores the importance that the government attaches to sustainable development for Uganda’s most marginalized communities.
The Prime Minister's discussions with the UNDP team, led by Resident Representative Ms. Nwanne Vwede-Obahor and Deputy Resident Representative Ms. Sheila Ngatia, focused on maximizing the contributions of UNDP to Uganda's ambitious development goals. They also explored improved approaches to address development challenges in vulnerable regions such as Karamoja.
Ms. Nwanne Vwede-Obahor, UNDP Resident Representative to Uganda
Ms. Nwanne Vwede-Obahor commended the strong partnership that UNDP and the Government of Uganda have built, calling it a true testament to their shared commitment towards achieving Uganda's development aspirations. "I look forward to continued engagements with the office of the Prime Minister and partners to ensure we achieve results that leave no one behind," she said.
Ms. Sheila Ngatia, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative
On her part, Ms. Sheila Ngatia emphasized the need for Uganda to have development that works for the people, if a difference is to be made. "We must ensure that we are reaching those who really need it the most," she added.
Right Honourable Robinah Nabbanja during her engagements with UNDP staff
“The reason for us being here today is to agree and harmonize on how to do things differently for the betterment of our country,” said Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda. “We need each other, and we need the technical expertise of UNDP if we are to develop this country.” Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja concluded by acknowledging the positive contributions made by UNDP and the wider United Nations Country Team (UNCT) toward achieving Uganda’s development aspirations, calling on UNDP’s technical expertise to enhance development effectiveness.
Accelerating Development in Karamoja
Right Honourable Robinah Nabbanja tours an exhibition with UNDP partners showcasing their innovations
The meeting discussed the challenges and unique context of addressing development in borderland regions and with a specific focus on the Karamoja sub-region which remains marginalized in terms of socio-economic development. UNDP offered the Prime Minister its experience and best practice with the Emergency Community Development Programme (ECDP) highlighting successful experiences in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and other countries, especially in West Africa, as an approach that the Government could consider for accelerated community development priorities under the new 10-year Karamoja Regional Development Plan.
UNDP has been tasked with reviewing the 10-year Karamoja Regional Development Plan before this is tabled before Cabinet. The Plan contains proposed development activities for the short to medium term and UNDP will review these to reflect where the PUDC approach could be applied. In this regard, the National Planning Authority and UNDP are jointly planning engagements with the Parliamentary Forum on Karamoja, Operation Wealth Creation and other critical stakeholders on the PUDC as an approach to accelerate delivery of critical programmes in Karamoja. Potential interventions for accelerated development in Karamoja include water for production, infrastructure development, agricultural mechanization and infrastructure for processing, marketing, and social infrastructure – especially for education.
UNDP staff pose for a group photo on the day