The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) in partnership with the European Union in Uganda on Friday, December 15, 2023, held a Closure Workshop for the Euros 150.6m Development Initiative for Northern Uganda (DINU) Project at OPM Offices in Kampala.
This Workshop marks the end of a project that has been successfully implemented by over 16 key national and international organisations, government agencies and private actors under OPM’s supervision.
The implementers executed multi-sectoral interventions in the areas of food security and agriculture, transport infrastructure, and good governance in 41 districts across five sub-regions — Acholi, Karamoja, Lango, Teso and West Nile — over the past six years.
The State Minister for Northern Uganda, Hon. Grace Freedom Kwiyucwiny presided over the Workshop on behalf of the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja.
The Prime Minister said DINU has been a timely intervention that has built on previous programmes aimed at facilitating socio-economic transformation in northern Uganda.
“I am impressed with the impact made by the DINU programme in Northern Uganda. DINU has proved to be a very timely intervention that has built on successive programmes aimed at the development and transformation of livelihoods in Northern Uganda,” said Premier Nabbanja in a speech read for her by Minister Kwiyucwiny.
She added: “We commend all the partners behind the successful implementation of this programme and we recognise the tangible improvements in the lives of the people have been achieved in Northern Uganda. On this occasion, I wish to thank the European Union for its extensive support of the implementation of the DINU programme.”
The project was supported by the European Union (EU).
The Head of the European Union delegation to Uganda, Jan Sadek, said DINU is a prime example of the European Union’s longstanding partnership with the Government and Ugandans to improve livelihoods.
He said the ultimate goal of the programme was to promote peace, security and stability.
“I am honoured to join the Closing Event of the EU-funded Shs610bn DINU programme. I have been inspired by the dedication and hard work of partners, local governments and the government of Uganda towards uplifting Northern Uganda. DINU will forever be remembered as a cornerstone of the EU-Uganda’s partnership.”
According to the EU, the workshop was a lively opportunity to listen to testimonies, challenges and lessons learnt from implementing partners, local governments and the government of Uganda’s representatives.
“I commend you all for the dedication and hard work demonstrated to improve livelihoods and local development in Northern Uganda and contributing to long-lasting peace, security and stability. DINU has truly been a flagship programme for the EU in Uganda,” added Sadek.
The Workshop was also attended by the Minister of State for Teso Affairs, Hon. Dr. Clement Keneth Ongalo-Obote.
DINU, a government of Uganda programme supported by the EU and supervised by OPM, was initiated in 2017.