The government of the Federal Republic of Germany has pledged to increase its financial assistance to Uganda by more than 50 percent over the next three years 2010 – 2012, a statement from the German Embassy shows.

According to the statement, the announcement came in the wake of conclusion of bilateral negotiations between officials from the two countries.

The German government made a new commitment of Euro 120 million (approx. 312 billion Uganda Shilling) for the three year period 2010 to 2012 - an increase of over 50% compared to the previous period from 2007 to 2009 when a total of Euro 76 million had been committed.

The statement noted that the new commitment will focus - General Budget Support based on the principles, objectives and indicators of the Joint Budget Support Framework as agreed between the Ugandan Government and budget support development partners.

Last year, 11 of Uganda’s top donor countries agreed to form a Join Budget Support Framework – through which donors countries coordinate their assistance to Uganda by focusing on major areas especially Roads, Education, Health, Energy and water and sanitation.

Germany support, according to the statement, will go towards improving water and sanitation sector, Promotion of renewable energy and energy efficiency and Development of the financial sector.

The support is also expected to support to the Office of the Prime Minister in its efforts to steer and monitor the implementation of the Peace, Recovery and Development Plan for Northern Uganda and set up a new programme aiming at strengthening Human Rights in Uganda.

The Ugandan delegation was led by Mr. C.M. Kassami, Permanent Secretary / Secretary to the Treasury, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development while the German Delegation was led by Dr. Gabriele Geier, Head of the East Africa Division of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

The German delegation commended the government of
Uganda for its bold vision and objectives outlined in the National Development Plan. The NDP will be the central planning framework for all interventions of Ugandan-German development cooperation.

During the negotiations Dr. Geier stressed, that a clear commitment to and respect for democratic institutions, human rights, rule of law and peace and stability in the region are at the heart of Germany's partnership with Uganda.

The head of the German delegation also recognized the efforts of the Ugandan Government to fight corruption and especially compliments the
Auditor General's Office which has noted with concern the issue of corruption and leakages
in a number of cases.

Dr. Geier however noted the need by the government of Uganda to step up follow-up actions on corruption cases.
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