The Government of Japan is set to contribute of approximately 9.8 million USD (approximately 36 billion UGX) to Uganda through 8 agencies; UNHCR, UNFPA, UN Women, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, 10M and IFPRI to help with refugees.
Addressing reporters at Uganda Media Center this morning, H.E. Hidemoto Fukuzawa, Ambassador of Japan to Uganda said that Japan recognizes the humanitarian situation in refugee-hosting areas is devastating, especially under the spread of the COVID-19.
From 2016 to 2020, Japan contributed approximately 35 million USD (approximately 127 billion UGX) to the Government of the Republic of Uganda by utilizing the supplementary budget to provide humanitarian supports and emergency responses in a timely manner.
“Therefore, the 2021 's contribution has been made with a specific focus on mitigating the impacts of the COVID-19 to the vulnerable population, including refugees, host community members, women and children in Uganda. Further details of respective project can be found in the joint press release” H.E. Fukuzawa said.
Japan also contributed 1.4 million USD through UNICEF and 3.8 million USD through Ministry of Health to provide emergency assistance for prevention of further spread of the COVID-19 to the Government of the Republic of Uganda in 2020.
Ambassador Fukuzawa says he remains hopeful that Uganda will overcome this fight in the end with the strong leadership of the Government of Uganda and the tight partnership with the international communities. And that Japan will always be on Uganda’d side and support the Government of Uganda as a member of the international community.
Besides the COVID-19 support, Japan's also promised continued cooperation for the Government of the Republic of Uganda, especially in the field of socio-economic development in the northern part of Uganda.
“On February 1 1, 2021, I signed a bilateral agreement on behalf of the Government of Japan in the form of the Exchange of Notes with Hon. Matia Kasaija, Minister of Finance, for the project for the improvement of National Road in Refugee-hosting areas of West-Nile subregion. By providing the grant of approximately 36.8million USD to the Government of the Republic of Uganda, Japan is hoping to contribute to stabilization of the society and promotion of sustainable economic growth in the northern part of the Republic of Uganda” H.E. Fukuzawa said.
Japan has been supporting not only the development of infrastructure, but also the development of local communities through the Grassroots Grant Projects (GGP) by providing the small grants for NGOs, schools, hospitals and local governments. Since 1992, we have kept supporting the development of local communities by 267 projects for almost 30 years. In the northern part of Uganda, we have supported 80 projects, 716 million yen (approximately 7 million USD in today's rate) so far.
The Ambassador says Japan will continue supporting the development of Uganda from various aspects including the empowerment of the local communities.
“I recognize Uganda as the exemplary refugee assistance model with its progressive refugee policy and protection of the asylum space in the country. Acknowledging Uganda's generous progressive refugee policy and needs for humanitarian— development supports, the Government of Japan is determined to continue to support Uganda's solidarity with refugees and host communities.”
