Elsie Attafuah, the departing United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative, implored Ugandans to embody the essence of their national motto, “For God and My Country,” during a farewell dinner in Kampala.
In her parting words, Attafuah urged Ugandans to give real meaning to the national motto, stating, “As I depart, I want Ugandans to internalize the idea that when they say ‘For God and My Country,’ it must hold significance. If not, we face challenges. We must actively pursue development swiftly, comprehensively, and inclusively.”
Attafuah’s speech underscored a sense of frustration with Uganda’s unrealized potential. She expressed, “It’s paradoxical that a country like Uganda, endowed with 11% of the world’s biodiversity, crater lakes, snow-capped mountains, the Nile’s source, and Lake Victoria, continues to face poverty. It’s a source of frustration.”
Highlighting the urgency, Attafuah discussed UNDP’s unconventional approach in Uganda, saying, “As a development agency, it’s normal to experiment with unconventional ideas. We collaborated with an airline to link Uganda to Nigeria’s tourist market. We are bold and ambitious, always seeking innovative solutions.”
Having served as UNDP Resident Representative since 2019, Attafuah played a pivotal role in the agency’s partnerships with the Ugandan government and private sector on various development initiatives.
