The Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has held bilateral talks with two United Nations (UN) officials and discussed ways of strengthening relations and mutual benefit.
Nabbanja, who was flanked by Nobert Mao, the minister for justice and constitutional affairs; and Prof. Pamela Mbabazi, the chairperson National Planning Authority; met Joyce Msuya, the Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator in the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Meeting at the G77 offices in New York on Monday, they discussed a wide range of issues, especially the urgent need for response to disasters in areas such as Mount Elgon, and Kasese.
Nabbanja in the New York, US to attend the 11th High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Nabbanja said although the Government of Uganda has developed mechanisms on disaster management, there is a need for the UN office for humanitarian affairs to support the country.
“We established mechanisms to manage disasters but our resource envelope is inadequate and we appeal for your urgent attention. The over 1.6 million refugees in the country overstretch our service delivery yet international support is dwindling,” said Nabbanja.
On her part, Msuya assured Nabbanja that the UN is ready to support Uganda and the disaster-prone areas. Msuya said their approach is now changing to be accountable to the affected persons and government.
She said that they are broadening the donor base to include other countries such as South Korea, China, India among others so that they don’t entirely rely on traditional donors.
In a related development, Nabbanja held bilateral talks with Claver Gatete, the UN Undersecretary General and executive secretary of Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).
Nabbanja lauded UNECA for the support they offer to Uganda, especially the assessment of performance of local governments to improve service delivery.
Mao said there is a need to address vulnerabilities for socio-economic transformation.
Gatete said Africa needs to come up with local solutions to address some of the issues affecting its people.
Meets Belarus minister
Meanwhile, Nabbanja and her team held bilateral talks with the Belarus deputy foreign affairs minister, Yury Ambrazevich, and discussed ways both countries can benefit from the cordial relations.
They met at the G77+China offices at the UN headquarters in New York.
Uganda took over the leadership of G77+China from the Republic of Cuba during the 3rd South Summit of the G77 plus China Heads of State and Government at Speke Resort Convention Center, Munyonyo, under the theme “Leaving No One Behind”.
Nabbanja briefed the Belarus minister that Uganda is now promoting agricultural mechanisation to increase production and productivity for socio-economic transformation.
Nabbanja said that there is a need to establish a tractor manufacturing facility and fertilizer plant in Uganda to create jobs for the local people.
“We need to have tractors either manufactured or assembled in Uganda so as to create job opportunities for the people in Uganda,” said Nabbanja.
She asked the Belarus minister to interest investors in his country to come and invest in Uganda because Uganda is peaceful and a business hub for the whole region.