The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, recently expressed gratitude towards the European Union for its significant support in various sectors in Uganda. He praised this support during a celebration of European Union Day, where he highlighted the EU’s role as one of Uganda’s strategic partners, particularly in areas such as refugee assistance, education, infrastructure development, and addressing climate change.
Tayebwa emphasized the strengthening relationship between Uganda and the European Union, noting how it benefits local communities, especially through increased exports of agricultural products to the Union. He also underscored the importance of parliamentary collaboration between Uganda and the European Union, particularly through the Africa-EU Parliamentary Assembly, where he leads the Ugandan delegation.
The European Union has played a crucial role in providing humanitarian aid to Uganda, particularly in supporting refugees. This aid includes funding for essentials like food, shelter, medical care, and education. In 2022 alone, the EU allocated €34 million for humanitarian aid in Uganda, and since 2017, it has provided over €240 million for humanitarian actions in the country.
The development cooperation between the EU and Uganda has been guided by the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) National Indicative Programme (NIP) 2014-2020. This framework outlines the priorities and areas of focus for EU support in Uganda’s development efforts. Through these initiatives, the EU continues to play a significant role in contributing to Uganda’s progress and welfare across various sectors.
