Witnessing Ireland's rich legacy in Kiboga.
Celebrating 30 years of Ireland in Uganda with Impact stories
In the late 1990’s, when first working at the Irish Embassy in Uganda, I was part of the team that developed the Area Based Programme for Kiboga District. Back then Kiboga was a new district, and still recovering from the devastating effects of the NRM war. Kiboga town was a small place, consisting of a single street on a dusty road from Kampala to Hoima.
It was very special for me to return to Kiboga District – this time as Ambassador - to mark the 30th anniversary of the Irish mission in Uganda, and to see the hugely positive impact of the Area Based Programme and Irish funding on the area 24 years on. It was a pleasure to meet with the current District Chief Administration Officer, Edward Musingye, and other district leaders and officials, and to visit projects started around a quarter of a century ago and thriving today. Edward reminded me that the Irish support was intended to “give Kiboga a head start”. It certainly did that – and more.
The Area-Based Programme supported health, education, roads, citizens rights, construction of production and veterinary offices and capacity building of local government. It started in 1997 and lasted until 2004, when it was integrated into the Local Government Development Project in the Ministry of Local Government.
The programme saw education transformed. Schools that were temporary structures under trees were replaced with modern buildings that are still standing the test of time today. New health centres were constructed and equipped, while old health centres were renovated and upgraded. Health staff were trained, and essential drugs and medical equipment supplied.
I visited the main district headquarters, production and veterinary units and St Pauls Primary School in Kabindo where, 25 years ago I witnessed the laying of the school building foundation stone by the then Ambassador Brendan Rogers. It is estimated that over 10,000 children have passed through this school over the last quarter of a century.
It was heartening to return and see at first hand the fruits of the Irish investment over the years, and the massive progress made. I saw a thriving district, unrecognisable from 25 years ago, and somewhere really going places.