Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2012
173. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline the non-governmental organisations Ireland is engaged with in Uganda; the steps he has taken to review their activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48400/12]
View answerIreland has had a bilateral aid programme with Uganda since 1994. Since starting our work in Uganda, we have witnessed huge improvements in the quality of life for the Ugandan people. Peace has returned to most of the country after generations of war. There are now 8.3 million pupils in primary schools compared to 2.5 million in 1997. The HIV prevalence rate has been reduced dramatically from 18% in the 1990s to just over 6% today. Most importantly, poverty has more than halved over the last two decades. These are real achievements, which have been made possible with the support of donors such as Ireland.
The provision of support to civil society through Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) has been an essential factor in achieving real improvements in the well-being of Ugandans. Details of the Irish, international and Ugandan NGOs that receive funding from Irish Aid for programmes in Uganda are detailed below.
It should be noted that funding proposals submitted by NGOs are rigorously appraised against clear criteria by Irish Aid staff both in Headquarters in Ireland and in the Irish Embassy in Kampala and, as appropriate by external experts. The criteria include a proven organisational capacity for the effective use of funding and an assessment of management and oversight systems within partner organisations. Departmental procedures to ensure that funding to the NGO sector is used for the intended purposes include regular field monitoring visits, annual narrative and financial reporting against agreed objectives and budgets, evaluations, audits and ongoing reviews of compliance. Audit is a fundamental component of good governance and the primary responsibility for complying with audit obligations rests with the NGOs funded by the Department. NGO partners must submit annual audited accounts to the Department as part of the annual reporting process.
I have witnessed on my recent trips to sub-Saharan Africa the excellent work being undertaken by many Irish and international NGOs funded by Irish Aid. I am personally very committed to working with NGOs, both large and small, to build their capacity to make a real difference on the ground in the countries they operate. I am fully aware of the deep-rooted historic support of the public to Irish NGOs working to improve the lives of those in developing nations. My Department will continue to support the work of NGOs in Uganda and in our other Programme Countries and will ensure that Irish Aid funding is directed to those areas most in need, is used for the purposes intended and represents the best value for money. I am committed to delivering on the commitment that all aid funded by the taxpayer, either through NGOs or through direct programmes, will benefit the poorest and most vulnerable in the countries where we are working.
2011 Irish Aid Funding to NGOs for programmes in Uganda
|
Funding given to Irish NGOs through HQ Civil Society Process |
2011 |
|
GOAL |
€ 2,851,703 |
|
MISEAN CARA FORMERLY IMRS |
€882,378 |
|
CONCERN WORLDWIDE |
€774,976 |
|
TRÓCAIRE |
€644,133 |
|
IRISH FAIR TRADE NETWORK |
€691,638 |
|
SELF HELP AFRICA |
€542,272 |
|
WORLD VISION IRELAND |
€270,290 |
|
OXFAM IRELAND |
€268,949 |
|
AIDLINK |
€250,226 |
|
WAR ON WANT NORTHERN IRELAND |
€200,000 |
|
A-Z CHILDREN'S CHARITY |
€168,800 |
|
GORTA |
€150,000 |
|
THE LEPROSY MISSION IRELAND |
€128,230 |
|
RÉALTA GLOBAL AIDS FOUNDATION |
€73,189 |
|
CIVICUS SOUTH AFRICA |
€50,000 |
|
VOLUNTEERS IN IRISH VETERINARY ASSOCIATION |
€35,574 |
|
SPECIAL OLYMPICS IRELAND |
€33,750 |
Funding for NGOs
|
Funding given to NGOs through Embassy Kampala for Country Programme Activities |
- |
2011 |
|
Human Rights Centre Uganda (HRCU) |
Support for the project on the promotion of rights for Human Rights Defenders Uganda |
€137,500 |
|
Democratic Governance Facility (DGF). This a joint donor funding mechanism of 7 donors run by an independent Programme Management Unit |
The DGF funds civil society organisations working in the areas of 1) Voice and Accountability, 2) Deepening Democracy, 3) Peace Justice and Human Rights |
€1,462,000 |
|
Independent Development Fund (IDF). This is funded by contributions from Sweden, UK, Ireland, Netherlands, Denmark. |
Supporting civil society dealing in human and civil rights |
€250,000 |
|
Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment |
Environmental Accountability in Uganda: Rural Livelihoods Security in Karamoja |
€100,000 |
|
Transparency International Uganda (TIU) |
Tracking the utilisation of Universal Primary Education funds in Northern Uganda |
€100,000 |
|
Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) |
Responding to the floods and landslide disaster in Eastern Uganda |
€50,000 |
|
African Centre for the Treatment & Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (ACTV) |
Treatment, psycho-social support and legal services to victims of torture as well as advocating against torture |
€100,016 |
|
Human Rights Network (HURINET) |
Civil society participation in Uganda's first review of the human rights council |
€25,851 |
|
Uganda Women Parliamentary Association (UWOPA) |
Implementation of the Women legislative agenda for the 9th Parliament in Uganda |
€40,575 |
|
International Alert |
Research into the potential of oil to contribute to peaceful development |
€400,000 |
|
Ecological Christian Organisation (ECO) |
Support implementation of the first phase of small scale mining in Karamoja |
€23,327 |
|
Forum for African Women Educationalist (FAWE) |
Karamojong Secondary & University Bursaries Programme |
€421,403 |
|
Acholi Education Initiative (AEI) |
Scholarship Programme for War Affected Youth are Children in Acholi Sub-region |
€178,640 |
|
HIV Civil Society Fund |
Strengthening Civil Society for Improved HIV/AIDS and Orphans /Vulnerable Children Service Delivery |
€4,500,000 |
|
AMICAALL - U |
Strengthening Local Government Sector HIV Response in Karamoja Region |
€300,000 |
|
The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO-U) |
Decentralised Capacity Building of HIV/AIDS Civil Society Organisations in the Karamoja Region |
€300,000 |
|
Uganda Women's Network (UWONET) |
Joint Programme to Address Gender Based Violence in Busoga Sub-region |
€195,501 |
|
Centre for Domestic Violence and Prevention (CEDOVIP) |
Joint Programme to Address Gender Based Violence in Busoga Sub-region |
€103,252 |
|
Uganda Episcopal Conference |
Tackling Domestic Violence through working with the Catholic Church |
€40,000 |
|
Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) |
Work with Communities & religious Leaders to reduce GBV in Busoga |
€66,713 |
|
Tufts University (Feinstein Centre) |
Research Study on Customary Mechanisms in Karamoja |
€150,000 |
|
Oxfam UK |
Reduction in Marginalisation, Sustainable Development of the Population of Karamoja |
€1,300,000 |
