[Ugnet] Govt, Donors Meet Over '06 Transition

The government yesterday met with representatives of the donor community in Uganda over growing concerns at the slow pace of the country's political transition process.

The meeting chaired by Prime Minister Apollo Nsibambi was attended by government ministers whose ministries' activities are directly related to the political transition.

British High Commissioner, Mr Adam Wood, led the donors. Details about the outcome of the meeting were scanty by press time.

However, The Monitor established that the donor community is worried that a number of activities under the political roadmap are behind schedule.

The Prime Minister, Prof. Apollo Nsibambi, had on Thursday summoned to his office ministers directly responsible for the process to try to address the donors' concerns before facing them yesterday (Friday).

The State Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Mr Adolf Mwesige, represented his ministry while the State Minister for Finance (General duties), Mr Mwesigwa Rukutana, represented Finance. Other ministries and agencies represented included Internal Affairs, Parliamentary Affairs, Police, and the Electoral Commission.

Minister Rukutana confirmed to The Monitor that the government side had met representatives of the donor community over the concerns.

The donor group includes the United States, Canada, Japan, and the European Union.

According to sources in the Prime Minister's office, the donors are concerned that the government has not recruited sufficient police personnel to oversee the referendum and general elections slated for later this year and early next year respectively.

Minister Rukutana, however, said that his ministry had made some funds available to the Justice, Law and Order Sector, under which the police force falls, to enable them address the issue of personnel.

"We are making some funds available and it will be up to the relevant authorities to allocate the money according to their needs," the minister said.

The donors are also concerned that many activities under the political roadmap are behind schedule. They cite voters' education, which has not started yet.

According to the roadmap, it would have started on March 1, 2005.

The donors further argue that legislation related to the political transition has not been given the priority it deserves. This includes the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, the Political Parties and Organisations Act, and the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Acts.

Donors fund nearly half of the country's national budget. Foreign aid went up every year in the period from 1987 to1992 averaging $500 million annually, and peaking at $788m million in 2002/03.

The donors have already expressed interest to support the transition process. Countries such as Britain have also extended support to facilitate capacity building for various political parties.

[Ugnet] Govt, Donors Meet Over '06 Transition

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