HC Deb 21 February 2000 vol 344 cc687-8W
Mr. Heppell

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representation she has made to the Uganda Government about dealing with the fighting in Northern Uganda. [111157]

Clare Short

Over the past three years I have discussed with the Government of Uganda the best way to achieve a peaceful solution to the fighting with the Lord's Resistance Army in Northern Uganda. I discussed this issue with President Museveni in 1997 and during my visit in Uganda last year.

Mr. Heppell

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of UK aid to Uganda is for agriculture and forestry. [111159]

Clare Short

We expect to spend £50 million in Uganda this financial year. Around 4 per cent. of this will be spent on agriculture and forestry. This includes assistance related to land ownership, agricultural research, veterinary services, government strategies on forestry and the modernisation of agriculture, and management of aquatic resources. Agricultural development in the less fertile areas of northern and eastern Uganda are key focuses for several of these projects.

Mr. Heppell

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of UK aid to Uganda is targeted to Northern Uganda. [111158]

Clare Short

We expect to spend £50 million in Uganda this financial year. Around 1 per cent. of this will be spent on projects directly targeted at the four northern districts of Kitgum, Gulu, Arua and Moyo. Most of the Uganda programme is comprised of nation-wide projects and initiatives designed to benefit the whole country, rather than specific districts. Examples include our commitment of £67 million over five years to Uganda's Education Sector Investment Plan, which aims to achieve universal primary education by 2003, and the budgetary assistance we provide direct to government.

Ongoing conflict and instability in Northern Uganda, particularly in Kitgum and Gulu, have made traditional development activities difficult and most of our current projects there focus on humanitarian assistance and peace-building. I have however made it clear when I visited the north and in response to requests from the Ugandan Government that should a sustainable peace be achieved, we will increase the proportion of our resources directly targeted at the region.