Despite democratic deficiencies, Uganda has improved a lot since the bloodstained dictatorships of the 1970s and 1980s. The economic growth has for many years been among the highest on the continent. Though the economy has diversified, the majority of the population is still living on small-scale farming.
Poverty has almost been halved since 1992, despite the long drawn-out conflict in the northern parts of the country. However, the social and economic growth has been geographically uneven and Uganda is still suffering from great regional differences and injustices. A strong political desire for a fair division of resources is needed, if the poorest people are to benefit from the economic growth. Uganda’s development plan to increase growth and thereby reduce poverty now forms the basis for much of Sweden’s support. The plan is an important step towards the long-term goal of turning Uganda into a middle-income country within 30 years. The principal themes in the document are growth, employment and welfare for all.
Uganda’s current strategy for combating poverty (NDP)
From war to democracy
The government’s war against the Lord’s Resistance Army rebel movement has been destabilizing the northern region for 20 years. For a couple of years, the rebel movement has been chased out of Uganda and a majority of the internally displaced people has returned to their villages and homes. These people now require systems for administering justice and reconciliation as well as reconstruction of infrastructure and services such as schools, health care and water. Creating opportunities for people to provide for themselves is another important part of the development work in the northern provinces.
In addition to supporting the peace process and rebuilding efforts for victims of the war, we are now focusing on improving political diversity and the respect for human rights. The target is to support a pluralistic party system, free media and civil society organizations to promote a democratic change, better opportunities for political accountability and respect for human rights.
Sweden’s focus areas in Uganda:
• Democratic governance, including peace and security
• Health care and HIV/AIDS
• Developing the private sector
• Research
• Water and sanitation (phased out 2010)
• Energy (phased out in 2011).
Read more about Sida’s work in Uganda.
Read more about Sida’s work in Uganda.
