President Museveni agrees to lift ban on DGF

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has agreed to lift the ban he imposed on Democratic Governance Facility (DGF), a civil society funding body whose activities were suspended last year.

In a press statement issued by the Presidential Press Unit, Museveni made the commitment yesterday in Kampala while meeting the Danish Minister for Development Cooperation, Flemming Miller Mortensen.

It is almost two years ever since Museveni suspended DGF accusing it of operating a multi billion donor fund without the government being represented in its decision-making structures.

“The President’s promise came following an appeal by Hon. Mortensen and the Danish Ambassador who said that the project has only six months left to elapse. The President said he would formally communicate the position to the relevant Government departments,” the press statement reads in part.

Ever since DGF was suspended, a number of meetings have been held between the European Union donor countries that pool together the Fund’s resources and senior government officials. However until now, no concrete results had been realized.

Meanwhile, Museveni assured Danish investors of the available markets of Uganda, East Africa, Africa, US and China among others. He saluted Denmark for commercializing milk in Uganda. For his part, Mortensen promised to give Uganda support in the area of irrigation in order to stabilize agriculture.

The minister Mortensen told the President that Denmark will establish new programs in Uganda in the areas of human rights, civic education and accountability. He said that Denmark has a lot of focus on the relationship with Uganda. The Minister said that Denmark will be a good partner to Uganda and that they will continue to support development projects in Uganda for better life.

*****

URN