Since 1986, Uganda has transformed from a nearly failed state to a country that has achieved consistently high economic growth rates.  Uganda’s GDP is currently approximately 5%, significantly higher than the 3.3% recorded for the Sub-Saharan region. Poverty levels declined significantly from 56% in 1992 to 31% in 2005.

There have also been steady improvements in health (immunisation has increased from 63% in 2002 to 89% in 200%) and education (84% of children are now enrolled in schools). Within the region, Uganda has been a leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS, with prevalence dropping significantly during the past decade.

However, Uganda still faces many challenges. Income inequality and one of the highest population growth rates in the world have combined to counteract the positive effects of growth on poverty.  Maternal and infant mortality rates are high. There is a chronic lack of trained health workers. Poverty in northern Uganda is particularly severe and the social indicators here are the lowest in the country.

Irish Aid work in Uganda

Bilateral Aid to Uganda in 2008: €44 million
Population: 28.9 million
2007 HDI rank: 154

Irish Aid has been working in Uganda since 1994 when an Embassy was established.  The Programme is administered by the Embassy of Ireland in Kampala, which is staffed by the Head of Mission supported by the development management team, which includes the Head of Development, Development Specialists, Second Secretary, Advisors and support staff.
The Irish Aid programme is guided by the White Paper on Irish Aid. Irish Aid support to Uganda is governed by a Country Strategy Paper (CSP), which sets out Irish Aid’s strategy for development cooperation. The programme is aligned with the objectives of the Government of Uganda’s Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP), which provides the framework around which donors deliver assistance. Donors, including Ireland, are currently working together within a joint assistance strategy (UJAS) to provide coherent and harmonised support for Uganda. The CSP takes account of the harmonisation principles of the UJAS.

The current CSP for Uganda covers the period 2007-2009. The overall goal of the programme is to support the reduction of poverty and promote environmentally sustainable economic development for Ugandan men and women. The focus is on support to education, HIV/AIDS and governance as well as the Poverty Action Fund. 

Education

Within education, the main focus continues to be on the primary sub-sector. The key areas are teacher development and curriculum reform, as well as strategies to contribute to improved quality. This is carried out in a number of ways including through support to the Ministry of Education and Sport’s Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP); the Teacher Education Department of the Ministry; the National Curriculum Development Centre; post-primary education and training in Karamoja; and to the Literacy Network of Uganda.

HIV/AIDS

Uganda is experiencing a matured epidemic, with the trend moving towards stabilisation at around 6.8% since 2000. The disease accounts for one third of all adult deaths and over half of all deaths among children under the age of five. 95% of children who are HIV positive were infected through mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). Within this sector, Irish Aid focuses on three areas: prevention (including MTCT), home based care and treatment, and orphans and vulnerable children. Support is provided to the Uganda Aids Commission (UAC), which coordinates the national response and ensures harmonisation. Irish Aid funding helps to build the capacity of the Commission to plan, coordinate and manage the response. Support is also given to civil society organisations.

Governance

Despite the insecurity in parts of Uganda, positive developments have been made around democratisation, decentralisation and restoration of the structures of Government. Irish Aid support focuses on three areas: justice reform; public sector management; and democratic accountability.  Irish Aid plays a lead role in the Justice, Law and Order Sector (JLOS). The JLOS strategic plan sets out a comprehensive approach to justice reform and improving access to justice. Irish Aid complements support to JLOS with support for civil society through the Legal Aid Basket Fund, which aims to improve access to adequate and affordable legal aid. Irish Aid is also working to strengthen public sector management and accountability, with a particular emphasis on decentralisation and public financial management.

Poverty Action Fund

The PAF is a ring-fenced fund, which targets social sectors and excludes defence and public administration expenditure. All programmes included in the PAF are aimed at reducing poverty and delivering service to the poor. The bulk of PAF funds are channelled to districts as conditional grants for health, education, rural roads and agriculture. Financing the PAF allows Irish Aid to support all five pillars of the PEAP and a broad range of poverty reducing programmes. Performance targets and indicators are drawn from the PEAP monitoring framework, the UJAS and the World Bank’s PRSC priority actions. These priority actions include budget execution, anti-corruption measures, and public administration expenditure amongst others.