Lango Web

Kampala, February 5, 2009

Hon David Wakikona (Photo: Robert Egwea)

(Ultimate Media) The Minister of State in charge of Northern Uganda, David Wakikona has revealed that cabinet has approved 150 billion shillings for the implementation of the Peace, Recovery and Development plan (PRDP) for Northern Uganda.

In a press statement today (February 5), Wakikona said the government is committed to the recovery and development efforts in northern Uganda.

He says the government will delay the full implementation of the Peace, Recovery and Development plan (PRDP) in order to have more consultations with leaders in northern Uganda and draw up monitoring mechanisms for the programme.

Wakikona says the full implementation of the PRDP programme will commence next financial year, which begins on July 1, 2008.
He says the 150 billion shillings will be government’s contribution to the PRDP, which will be funded 70 percent by donors.

The minister says an additional 50 million dollar (about 100 billion shillings) loan to finance phase two of the Northern Uganda Social Action Fund had also been approved by cabinet.

He says implementation of the current interventions aimed at reconstructing and developing the northern region will continue as planned.

Members of Parliament from northern Uganda yesterday criticized government for having made consultations with only a handful of members from the Acholi sub region.

MP Okello Okello also expressed concern over the increase in the number of districts under PRDP from 29 to 40 districts, which means the few resources will be shared among many areas.