The Head of the European Union in Uganda, Mr. Jan Sadek says Uganda’s socio-economic growth and development is a priority for the European Union.
This was the strong message delivered by Jan Sadek during his historic visit to Jinja City on Tuesday.
Accompanied by over 10 EU ambassadors, Mr Sadek reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to Uganda’s growth, highlighting Jinja City’s strategic importance as East Africa’s industrial hub and tourism hotspot.
Jinja City boasts stunning natural scenery, with the River Nile and Lake Victoria, making it an ideal destination for adventure seekers and investors.
The city’s attractions include the Source of the Nile, Itanda Falls, and Kyabirwa Falls, offering opportunities for white water rafting, bungee jumping, kayaking and sport fishing.
It’s also in Jinja, where the now popular Nyege-Nyenge, a Music Festival, which the organizers say it’s to celebrate music, art, and culture but has always generated controversy among religious, cultural and political leaders is held annually.
This renewed partnership promises economic growth, improved infrastructure, and enhanced regional cooperation, cementing Jinja City’s status as a vital player in East Africa’s development.
The two-day working visit aimed to strengthen ties and explore opportunities for cooperation between the EU and Uganda.
In his welcome remarks, the Jinja RCC Richard Gulume Balyainho appealed to the EU ambassadors to extend funding for infrastructure development, particularly road networks in dire need of repair.
“…we have a total road network of 700kilometres in very sorry states, so if the EU can help us to renovate only 50 kilometres, the people of Jinja will live to remember this day forever…” he pleaded.
Gulume,an ardent NRM apologist, also grabbed the opportunity to assure the attentive ambassadors, some visiting Jinja for the first time of the calm political climate, offering valuable insights into Uganda’s national politics.
The EU delegation, comprising ambassadors from France, Germany, Sweden, Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, and Ireland, visited key sites in Jinja, including Kiira Motors Corporation, Kakira Sugar Factory and Owen Falls Dam.
These visits underscored the EU’s interest in Uganda’s industrial and energy sectors.
The EU leader also made a major announcement regarding the renovation of the 1954 Owen/Kiira-Nalubale Hydro Power Dam, a joint effort between the governments of France, Uganda and other partners.
The EU aims to mobilize funds through loans and grants to upgrade the facility.
He disclosed that EU/EIB and France will mobilize 140M Euros as loan and 30M Euros grants to support the intervention.
Richard Gulume Balyainho also appealed to the EU ambassadors to extend funding for infrastructure development, particularly road networks in dire need of repair.
Jinja City Mayor, Alton Peter Kasolo Okocha, echoed this sentiment, sharing insights from his experience in European countries like Sweden.
Kasolo, who subscribes to the opposition NUP, disclosed that Jinja City’s twinning program with Stockholm is progressing, with plans to upgrade Nalufenya Children’s Hospital to a National Children’s Hospital.
He says capacity-building exchanges between Swedish and Ugandan healthcare experts are already underway.
However, Kasolo expressed frustration with Uganda’s decentralization policy, citing discrepancies between policy and implementation.
The mayor urged the EU to channel support directly to local governments for greater impact.
The City Council Speaker Bernard Mbayo also issued another valid concern that the city’s roads, particularly those leading to factories of major investors like BIDCO and Madhavani Steel, are in dire need of renovation.
“…its ironic that these companies contribute billions of shillings to the National Treasury through taxes, yet the roads connecting to their factories are impassable…”the FDC politician lamented.
Mbayo told the close to one dozen ambassadors that the issue is not just about the condition of the roads but also about the lack of reinvestment in the city’s infrastructure.
“…with more than 100 factories/industries generating significant revenue for the government,one would expect a portion as low as 10% of those funds to be allocated towards the road maintenance…”he pointed out.
The visit will conclude on Thursday with a renewed commitment to cooperation between the EU and Uganda, focusing on strategic areas such as infrastructure, renewable energy, and healthcare.
Jinja City’s historic visit from over 10 European Union ambassadors marks a significant shift in EU’s approach to Uganda.
This unprecedented delegation underscores Jinja’s strategic importance as one of East Africa’s industrial hubs and tourism hotspots.
This renewed partnership promises economic growth, improved infrastructure, and enhanced regional cooperation, cementing Jinja City’s status as a vital player in East Africa’s development.
The European Union’s Delegation Cooperation with Uganda focuses on several key objectives.
The EU aims to foster sustainable development in Uganda, emphasizing the need for environmental conservation, restoration, and protection of natural resources and biodiversity.
This aligns with Uganda’s development mission to promote eco-friendly practices and preserve natural resources.
It also aims at promoting sustainable and inclusive growth, and jobs are another priority, focusing on productive sectors, sustainable energy, transport, and digital connectivity.
This supports Uganda’s vision of achieving economic stability and prosperity.
On democratic governance, EU’s role is to help in strengthening democracy, human rights, and social inclusion as core objectives, ensuring institutions are effective, accountable, and deliver basic social services.
Uganda’s development vision emphasizes good governance and human rights with entities like the Uganda Human Rights Commission, the Uganda Police and the Judiciary, among other state and non state actors like Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
The EU’s cooperation objectives align with Uganda’s development mission and vision, focusing on sustainable development, economic growth, democratic governance, humanitarian support, and strategic partnerships.
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