Swedish Development Cooperation with Uganda

The key objective of the Swedish development cooperation with Uganda is increased respect for and enjoyment of human rights and the democratic principles. In order to contribute to the objective, the cooperation is focused on four sectors:

• Democratic governance, including peace and security
• Health and HIV/Aids
• Private sector development, including international trade and financial systems
• Research cooperation

Two sectors are already phased out: the energy sector and the water and sanitation sector. The reason for this is that Sweden, in accordance with policies regarding aid effectiveness, shall focus on fewer areas of cooperation.

Uganda's development plan to increase growth and reduce poverty forms the basis for much of Sweden's support. To read the government's plan for national development - the National Development Plan - see the link on the right.

The county’s young democracy is at a critical stage and Sweden’s future contributions are defined based on the political development. The cooperation is now being directed towards sustainability in the democratic process, a better health care, strengthening of the private sector and increased national research capacity.

For more information on Sweden’s development cooperation with Uganda, see the document Sweden’s Development Cooperation With Uganda 2011 to the right on this page. Additional information, on the development cooperation and the general development in Uganda, can be found on Sida’s webpage.

Democratic governance and Human rights
Democratic developments in Uganda presents a conflicting and contradictory image. The first multiparty elections were held in 2006. Although still weak and fragmented, the 2006 and 2011 elections have contributed to the creation of a political opposition. At the same time, the government has taken a firmer grip on state power. While the protection of human rights is provided for in the Ugandan Constitution, compliance is still weak and inadequate.

Sweden attaches great importance to and emphasis on further development in a democratic direction. The objective is, among other things, to support the deepening of democracy and holding of free and fair elections, as well as increased respect for human rights. The support is channelled through civil society organisations working for democratic change as well as through public channels for a broader political dialogue.

Information on the Swedish-supported initiative Democratic Governance Facility can be found to the right on this page.

Health and HIV/Aids
Sweden has provided support to the expansion and improvement of Ugandan health care for many years, especially in the vulnerable rural areas. the main focus of the Swedish health support to Uganda is maternal health, sexual and reproductive health and capacity building to enhance effective leadership in the sector. Support is given both to the ministry of health and to a number of NGOs active within the sector.

In the early 1990s, the Aids epidemic raged in Uganda and the country was among the worst affected in the world. Since then, Sweden has contributed to its presence falling, from 18 per cent to about 6 per cent. Once again, however, troubling signs can be seen and the positive trend seems to be broken. Hence, increased efforts are needed in the field. In addition to supporting the implementation of Uganda's own strategic plan for the health sector, Sida therefore supports organizations that work with specific focus on slowing the spread of HIV/ AIDS.

Private Sector development
A strong and competitive private sector is essential to create employment and income opportunities for poor groups in Uganda, where agriculture constitutes the base of the economy. Improved productivity and competitiveness in agriculture is a priority within the Swedish support, which has the general objective of improved business and investment climate and increased trade.
Improved business climate is promoted at national as well as local levels and is conducted in cooperation with state and private actors. In the post-conflict areas, the support is complemented by direct efforts that creates possibilities for former IDPs to once again support themselves. The objective of increased trade is achieved partly through the development of local enterprises and partly by developing and adapting institutions and regulations that complies to international requirements and standards.

Research cooperation
The research cooperation with Uganda, which was initiated in 2000, aims to improve the analytical capacity for research relevant to poverty reduction and democratic governance among public universities. The third phase of the cooperation covers the period January 2010 - June 2014 and amounts to MSEK 180, funds that are mainly directed to Makerere Univeristy in Kampala, but to some extent also to the other four public universities in Uganda.

The support is focused on graduate education in medicine, engineering, humanities and social sciences, agriculture and veterinary medicine, and in 2010 40 new graduate students were admitted. The education is conducted in cooperation with 12 Swedish universities and collages under the so called “sandwich model”, with alternating periods in Uganda and Sweden.

Support is also provided for an improved research environment at Makerere University – to ICT, libraries, quality assurance, laboratory equipment etc, as well as for an administrative reform aimed at streamlining research administration.