IFAD-funded projects contribute to higher household incomes in Uganda
R
ural development projects co-financed by IFAD have helped to increase household incomes in Uganda over the past seven years. This and other issues were presented on 5 February 2021, as Ugandan senior policy makers and representatives of IOE met to discuss the findings of a country strategy and programme evaluation (CSPE), carried out in Uganda in 2020.
of Uganda and IOE, in collaboration with IFAD’s East and Southern Africa Division, the on-line workshop brought together policy makers from the Ministries of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, and Local Government, and development counterparts, civil society organizations and private partners. Over 70 participants attended the virtual event.
Key to the achievements of IFAD’s co-financed projects in Uganda has been the building of infrastructure and market support services, which have reduced transport costs and increased market prices due to improved road access. Equally important have been IFAD’s investments in rural finance, which have supported regulatory reforms and linkages between local savings and credit groups and service providers.
Hon. Dr Ajedra Gabriel Aridru, Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development, delivered welcome remarks and an opening statement for the event. Mr Donal Brown, Associate Vice President, Programme Management Department of IFAD, gave a statement, followed by Mr Fabrizio Felloni, who pronounced an introductory statement. Ms Chitra Deshpande, Senior Evaluation Officer, IOE, then presented the main findings and conclusions emerging from the evaluation, as well as recommendations for future work in Uganda. After a question-and-answer session, Ms Lakshmi Moola, Country Director, and Ms Sara Mbago-Bhunu, Regional Director, East and Southern Africa Division, IFAD, gave statements on the future directions for the IFAD programme in Uganda. Closing remarks were delivered by Mr Felloni and the Hon. Bagiire Aggrey, Minister of State for Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries. Ms Maris Wanyera, of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, acted as Master of Ceremony.
“Our evaluation shows that the IFAD-supported projects have been overall successful at reaching poor rural people in Uganda. They have resulted in increased productivity and better access to markets and rural financial services. The projects have also contributed to growing productivity and incomes, and strengthening individual and group capacities”, stated Mr Fabrizio Felloni, IOE Deputy Director. Organized by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development of the government
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