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Minister of State for Disaster Preparedness, Relief and Refugees Dr Lillian Aber yesterday passed the commendations while launching a $3.3 million (Shs 12.2 billion) program funded by Japan to support refugees and host communities in five districts in northern and western Uganda.
The implementation of the Women in Peace and Security in Refugee Settlements program is to be implemented through UN Women in Uganda.
Minster Aber in her remarks praised the Japanese government for “being a strong partner and for being consistent with their interventions and support to the government of Uganda.”
She reiterated Uganda’s commitment to welcome refugees fleeing conflict in neighboring countries.
“Uganda remains a home for the 1.7 million refugees, thanks to the goodwill of the president and his commitment to shelter those fleeing conflict,” she said.
Five districts are to benefit from this program, namely; Adjumani, Yumbe, Madi-Okolo, Isingiro and Kyegegwa.
Over 11000 beneficiaries
These, according to Paulina Chiwangu, the UN Women's Country Representative are the frontline districts which are currently receiving a high influx of refugees from DRC, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia and South Sudan.
Up to 11000 refugees and host community members, especially women and girls have been targeted for this program.
Ms. Chiwangu said the money will be spent on among others ensuring that women and girls in these communities have increased access to social protection services.
“We want to ensure that they have increased capacity to actively participate and contribute meaningfully to peacebuilding and conflict mitigation,” she said.
The women and girls will also be supported to participate in climate change mitigation and disaster reduction as well as income and economic activities.
“This is what we believe in… the transformative power of women’s participation in peacebuilding and conflict resolution,” said Chiwangu.
“As refugees, women confront endless barriers such as limited access to education, social protection and economic activities which further hinder their ability to rebuild their lives and contribute to peace processes."
On his part, HE Japanese Ambassador to Uganda, HE Sakayama Takuya expressed his government’s commitment to support Uganda’s humanitarian efforts.
He also said the topic of refugees will be central at the upcoming Tokyo International Conference on African Development set for later this month, where Uganda will send a high-level delegation.