The results in context

The results in context

Under the fourth Justice Law and Order Sector (JLOS) Sector Development Plan (SDP), the priority is on empowering people by building trust and upholding rights. The SDP is funded by the Ugandan government and various donors, including the Netherlands. A five-year arrangement with the government of Uganda was signed late in 2017 to provide a grant of EUR 10 million. In 2019, this contribution was increased by EUR 7 million because, despite the good results achieved by the SDP, the budget turned out to be inadequate to achieve all of the planned results.

As confirmed during the JLOS Annual Review of October 2019, overall progress was satisfactory. The creation of a committee to reduce the case backlog has achieved considerable results and the passing of the transitional justice policy was a long-awaited achievement.

Main challenges

In spite of all efforts, corruption remains a challenge and one that the sector has not yet been able to effectively combat.

There are still serious incidents of brutalities and human rights violations happening in the sector.

In general, room for opposition parties and NGOs to express themselves is expected to shrink with the elections coming up in early 2021. This will pose a threat to the results that have been achieved so far but it also shows the importance of continued dialogue with the sector.

Successful pilot

See above “Securing Land Tenure project” with the Global Land Tenure Network. This pilot project is an example that combines two of the Netherlands’ priorities in Uganda: Food Security and Rule of Law.

The results in context

The focus of the Food Security programme in Uganda is on two areas: improving incomes in the agricultural sector and increasing the availability of and access to food. The Netherlands is paying great attention to the role of the private sector in agriculture.

Weather and climate have a significant impact on food security results. There were droughts in the second half of 2018, while the rains in 2019 were late and prolonged without the required dry period during the course of the year. The impact of all this provides a mixed picture. Annual crops were affected while perennial crops and pasture benefited. The results of the production of improved seeds were therefore lower than expected. The dairy sector did very well but oversupply resulted in a drop in farm gate prices. Nevertheless, most projects supported more farmers and companies. Good progress was made in developing the service sector. Increasingly, companies are providing advice and equipment to farmers and processors. The Netherlands is investing in stronger resilience in order to better handle weather- and climate-related issues.

The Netherlands is supporting the Ugandan Government policy to commercialise the agriculture sector. However, the Ugandan Government has a tendency to intervene directly in the market, instead of focusing on regulation and creating the right incentives for the private sector. The Netherlands holds the position of chair of the Development Partners in the agriculture sector and raised these issues in its policy dialogue with the government.

The results in context

With a population growth rate of 3% per annum, Uganda has a fast-growing and young population. At the same time, a significant number of women are unable to access birth control measures. This prevents them from being able to decide if and when to have children. Other pressing issues include the high number of teenage pregnancies and early marriages.

Some political leaders are increasingly acknowledging and supporting the need for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). In addition, the new National Population Policy acknowledges the need for SRHR for young people as an essential element for development. This creates a positive environment to further strengthen political support in this field.

In the reporting period, more than 6,000 young people (both refugees and host population) were provided with modern contraceptive services/methods and almost 350,000 people including youths were provided with SRH information and services.

The results in context

Increase in inclusive business co-operation between Uganda and the Netherlands

The Aid and Trade agenda continues to create business opportunities for Dutch companies based in the Netherlands, the East African region and within Uganda. The diversity of existing and emerging businesses ranges from agro-food, tourism and consulting to logistics and renewable energy. This demonstrates the increasing business ties between the two countries.

The annual Harvest Money Expo, an agribusiness exhibition and a spin-off of Uganda’s Best Farmers Competition, offers a platform that directly links Uganda’s agribusinesses to Dutch suppliers of productivity-enhancing technology, know-how and agro-machinery. The number of Ugandan companies with Dutch business relations has increased.

The embassy brokers business deals and Joint Business Ventures between Dutch and Ugandan counterparts through facilitation and lobbying and by providing strategic market information. Improving the quality of the business environment in Uganda remains a core objective. Dutch companies are not just suppliers, they are also setting up plants in Uganda.

The number of Ugandan companies with Dutch business relations continued to grow steadily in 2019. Trade and investment facilities at the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), such as the Dutch Infrastructure Development Fund, Impact Cluster Financing and the Demonstration Facility, have supported the entry of Dutch companies into Uganda.

The Netherlands remains one of the biggest markets for Ugandan goods in the European Union. Agro-food, tourism, renewable energy and information technology present a number of opportunities for Dutch companies. The number of Ugandan companies interested in Dutch agricultural inputs, such as seeds and irrigation equipment, is increasing. Capital, knowledge and management skills are key barriers to local entrepreneurship.

Promotion of the Dutch brand in Uganda took place through a successful Best Farmers Competition and Harvest Money Expo, including an agro-trade mission with 32 Dutch-Ugandan companies involved. Dutch companies were able to make good sales of equipment and machinery.

Membership of the Netherlands Uganda Trade and Investment Platform (NUTIP) increased by 10%. The Netherlands Embassy, together with the platform, has organised consultations between the Ugandan authorities (Ministry of Trade, Industry and Co-operatives) and Dutch companies in Uganda.