Uganda is a priority country in bilateral development cooperation. The main points of focus are water sector reforms, vocational education and training, and boosting the financial sector. Bilateral negotiations on development cooperation took place in Kampala as recently as April this year.
Uganda was the first African country to enjoy debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative and, in line with the Enhanced HIPC Initiative, became eligible for further debt relief in September 2000.
Investment in infrastructure and education are vital to Uganda’s transition. Chancellor Merkel has promised that she will strive for greater economic cooperation. Development aid is not simply a matter of government pledges.
Helping Uganda help itself
President Museveni also emphasised the importance of development aid in allowing African nations to trade successfully in the markets. With the Aid for Trade initiative, ways can be found to create jobs and help people earn an income locally. Museveni cited three key sectors: transport, education and energy.
Merkel pointed out that the G8 Summit in Heiligendamm had placed Africa firmly in the spotlight of development cooperation activities.
In their concluding statement on Africa, the G8 leaders had underlined their great interest in helping Africa achieve stability, democracy and prosperity.
In the words of the official statement, the historical debt relief initiative is "well underway”. Compared with 2004, development aid for Africa is to be increased annually by USD 25 billion until 2010.