KAMPALA – The Development Initiative for Northern Uganda (DINU), a Government of Uganda Programme supported by the European Union, is calling on interested and qualified entities to pitch for grant contracts amounting to EUR 27 million or Shs114.5 billion to implement projects in Northern Uganda.
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 Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) on May 10, 2019.
Under the DINU Call, 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.
To this end, an information session on the DINU Call for Concept Notes is organised in Moroto on 17 May and followed by similar events in Gulu on 20 May; Arua on 22 May and concluded in Kampala on 28 May 2019.
At the occasion of the information sessions, Mr.Keith Muhakanizi, the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Treasury, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) said: “As Contracting Authority of the DINU Call, the NAO/MoFPED 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.”
Mrs. Christine Guwatudde Kintu, the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), said: “DINU is a continuation of the affirmative action in the recovery of Northern Uganda. The launch of the DINU Call marks an important milestone in the programme implementation under the OPM supervision. The 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.”
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.”
“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. The DINU Call opens opportunities for a variety of actors in Northern Uganda to support the implementation of this large multi-sector programme.”
The information sessions bring 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.
There shall also be presentations of activities undertaken by other DINU implementing partners – GIZ, DFID/TradeMark East Africa, UNCDF, UNICEF, UNRA and OPM. In addition, there shall be a Q&A-session where potential applicants can ask questions on the DINU Call Guidelines.
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