New poverty reduction programme for the north

The government on 12 October announced the introduction of a new US $100 million poverty reduction programme for northern Uganda, 'The New Vision' reported. The permanent secretary in the prime minister's office, Martin Odwedo, was quoted as saying in parliament that the Northern Uganda Social Action Fund (NUSAF), sponsored by the World Bank, would aim to reduce poverty and "promote unity" across 18 districts in the north of the country. According to the government-owned newspaper, about USh 119 billion (US $68.5 million) of the USh 175 billion programme would be spent on a community development initiative, which would cover education, health care, water supply, and the establishment of community centres. Meanwhile, MPs from Katakwi District, eastern Uganda, have launched an appeal to raise USh 10 billion (US $5.7 million) to assist internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the district, 'The New Vision' reported on Monday. More than 88,000 IDPs in Katakwi are forced to remain in "protected camps" because of violent cattle-raids by pastoralists from the neighbouring Karamoja subregion. The government of President Yoweri Museveni has been criticised by Katakwi MPs for failing to effectively disarm the Karamojong, and protect the people of Katakwi.