Kampala – The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) has assured potential applicants for the Development Initiative for Northern Uganda (DINU) Call that the application process for grantees will be handled objectively.
Speaking at the DINU Call for Concept Notes Information Session in Kampala on Tuesday, May 28, Mr. Gonzaga Mayanja, the Commissioner Monitoring, and Evaluation – Local Governments in the OPM, who represented the line Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Christine Guwatudde Kintu, said the process will be handled with due diligence.
“We will do due diligence and handle the DINU Call in an objective and professional way,” he assured applicants adding that similar sessions were recently held in Moroto, Gulu, and Arua, to guide interested and qualified entities to objectively submit proposals for grant contracts.
The said contracts amount to EUR 27 million (about UGX114.5 billion) for the implementation of projects in Northern Uganda.
The Information sessions brought together potential applicants and interested parties for a presentation on the DINU programme, the Call Guidelines, including rules and procedures which are to be followed throughout the application process.
According to Mr. Mayanja, DINU is a continuation of the affirmative action in the recovery of Northern Uganda.
“The launch of the DINU Call he said, marks an important milestone in the programme implementation under the OPM supervision.
“The DINU Call and its large-scale actions will raise the Government profile in improving livelihoods, private sector engagement in the agricultural sector and local government ownership as engines for sustainable economic development in Northern Uganda,” he
The National Authorising Officer (NAO) – Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development (MoFPED) representative, Mr. William Tukamuhebwa, said: “DINU Call is competitive. Ensure you read the guidelines carefully and comply.”
DINU Call launch
The DINU Call for Concept Notes was launched by the National Authorising Officer (NAO) – Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) in collaboration with the OPM on May 10, 2019.
Under this arrangement, the funds will be awarded under two lots for projects in five sub-regions of Acholi, Karamoja, Lango, Teso and West Nile, to improve livelihoods through increased production of diversified food, enhanced market opportunities and better maternal and child nutrition as well as to improve performance and accountability of local governments through strengthened participation of communities.
Mr.Keith Muhakanizi, the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Treasury, Ministry of Finance, MoFPED, said that as a contracting authority of the DINU Call, the finance ministry is happy to facilitate the process leading to the award of large grant contracts under which the Government shall work with different actors in the development of Northern Uganda.
Mr. Cedric Merel, the Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to Uganda, said: “DINU is a flagship programme of our partnership with the Government of Uganda through which the European Union continues to support the consolidation of peace, stability and socio-economic development of Northern Uganda. Poverty, food insecurity and undernutrition remain significant challenges for many people in the region, and the continuing refugee inflow from South Sudan and DRC is posing additional challenges in certain districts.”
He added that Agriculture, Infrastructure and strong Local Authorities are crucial to enhance the region’s economic growth and the livelihoods of its people.
“A comprehensive approach ensuring engagement of local governments and other actors such as the private sector and CSOs is key for a sustainable response to these challenges,” he said adding that the DINU Call opens opportunities for a variety of actors in Northern Uganda to support the implementation of this large multi-sector programme.
Beneficiary districts
DINU is a government of Uganda programme supported by the European Union aimed at improving livelihoods of people in the five sub-regions of Acholi, Karamoja, Lango, Teso and West Nile.
The overall goal of the 150.6 million Euros programme is to, “Consolidate stability in Northern Uganda, eradicate poverty, eradicate poverty and under-nutrition and strengthen the foundations for sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development.”
Implemented in 33 districts of Northern Uganda, DINU is a multi-sectoral integrated programme supporting interventions in three specific interlinked sectors: Food security, Nutrition, and Livelihoods; Infrastructures (transport, logistics, water, energy) and Good Governance for improved service delivery.
The beneficiary districts of the DINU programme are Agago, Amuru, Gulu, Kitgum, Lamwo, Nwoya, Omoro and Pader in Acholi Sub-region.
Abim, Amudat, Kaabong, Kotido, Moroto, Nakapiripirit, and Napak (Karamoja); Alebtong, Amolatar, Apac, Dokolo, Kole, Lira, Otuke and Oyam in Lango Sub Region.
AMuriat and Katakwi for Teso region while Adjumani, Arua, Koboko, Maracha, Moyo, Nebbi, Yumbe and Zombo represent the West Nile region
In support of the overall DINU implementation, key implementation partners – DFID/Trademark East Africa, GIZ, UNCDF, and UNICEF were identified based on their specialisations to undertake a wide range of activities related to the specific objectives of the programme.
