Abandoning aid to Uganda would be a dereliction of our duties
Uganda is one of the Irish aid programme’s partner countries in Africa. We work through the local and national governments of these countries because 30 years of experience in development has taught us that is the most effective way of making a lasting difference to the lives of the world’s poorest people.
We also support the work of local and international NGOs, including Goal.
NGOs do excellent work, in many instances working closely with local communities, district authorities and governments. Except in the most exceptional circumstances, for example in the throes of a conflict, it is not possible to ignore the importance of governments.
Working through governments produces results. For instance, our support to the education sector in Uganda has assisted in achieving consistent increases in primary school enrolment rates and reduced class sizes. The number of primary school teachers has increased by almost 50% in the past five years.
While progress has been made in this and in other areas, I have continuing concerns about the situation in Uganda.
If and when necessary, the Irish Government will act. The Government took the decision to reduce Ireland’s support to the Ugandan government by e3 million, as a signal of concern about the slow pace of democratic reform. That was an exceptional measure. It was not a decision taken lightly but it was, I believe, necessary.
Overall, we must strike a balance between our abiding commitment to the poor in Uganda and the need to see greater political responsiveness and accountability to their needs.
The Government’s aid programme operates in difficult operating environments and we will encounter problems. Rather than turning away, we will work to resolve them. Poor governance is in itself a function of under-development.
In addition to helping provide vital services in areas such as health and education, we work to strengthen the government systems of our partner countries. We help to strengthen the checks and balances necessary in any democracy by supporting public sector reform, improved legal systems and greater transparency and accountability. We have in place the controls necessary to ensure public money is not misspent. We are funding human rights commissions, public sector reform, reform of the justice systems. We are assisting in building audit capacity within government systems. To abandon such programmes, and the enormous influence for positive change that Ireland can bring to bear, would be a dereliction of our responsibilities.
Ireland’s programme of official development assistance has been independently evaluated as one of the most effective in the world. This is demanded and deserved by the Irish public and I am determined this will continue to be the case.
Conor Lenihan TD
Minister of State for Development, Cooperation and Human Rights
Leinster House
Kildare St
Dublin
