The Embassy of France will invest up to shs 12 trillion in Uganda over the next three years, Mr. Xavier Sticker, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Uganda has announced.
He made the revelation during a bilateral meeting with Ugandan Minister of Foreign Affairs General Jeje Odongo at the Ministry’s offices in Kampala.
Mr. Sticker reaffirmed France’s unwavering commitment to investing significantly in Uganda’s socio-economic development.
He said that the substantial sum of sh12 trillion will be strategically allocated across key sectors, including but not limited to agriculture and oil and gas, to foster sustainable growth and prosperity in Uganda.
During the meeting, the discussions underscored the shared commitment of both nations to further strengthen ties across various sectors of mutual interest.
On his part, Gen Odongo said France’s investment commitment reflects the deep-rooted friendship and partnership between the two nations.
“This significant contribution will undoubtedly contribute to Uganda’s efforts to achieve its development goals and improve the well-being of its citizens,” he said.
Both parties affirmed their commitment to continuing the constructive dialogue and collaboration in pursuit of shared objectives, further consolidating the strong and enduring partnership between Uganda and France.
The Minister also commended France’s steadfast support and partnership and looked forward to the successful implementation of the envisioned projects that will benefit both nations.
France projects in Uganda
The French government has invested 73.5 million euros in the water treatment plant on Kagera River to ensure that people of Isingiro district, especially refugees at Nakivale camp can access clean drinking water.
French Ambassador to Uganda Xavier Sticker says once completed, the plant will provide water to 350,000 inhabitants of Isingiro.
Ambassador sticker was briefing the media about his government’s priority plans for Uganda this year.
“The plant will be delivered this year between the summer and the autumn. And with the subsequent work on the pipes, within less than two years it will provide drinking water to 350,000 inhabitants of the whole of Isingiro and refugees by the way” said Ambassador Sticker
The plan according to Ambassador Sticker is to go up to Mbarara and once completed it will provide clean drinking water to a total of one million Ugandans.
This service is hoped to improve living standards of people in the area, especially refugees who have to trek long distances to collect water from sources, which is very dangerous for women and the girl child.
In the energy sector, the French Development Agency, together with the European Union, and the EU Investment bank is funding the rehabilitation of the Kiira-Nalubale dam electricity plant in Jinja along the banks of river Nile.
Ambassador sticker says the objective is to ensure that the dam realises its full potential production which is 380 megawatts of electricity
“That is also a game changer as Uganda is working hard on its industrialization transforming its natural resources in the country. So we are happy and privileged to be partners for Uganda on that” he states
France is also working on a project which will provide direct exposure to French learners in part contribution to Uganda’s education sector.
Under this arrangement the French government will be offering learners more resources in terms of scholarships and more opportunities for Ugandan students to visit French Universities and vice versa to improve their education.
It was revealed that up to 12 French universities will be visiting Uganda in the first week of the month of March in 2024.
“They will interact not only with the education system in Uganda but also the Ugandan universities to see how they can improve the curriculum and ensure that some French students can do part of their curriculum in Uganda, and that some of Ugandan students can do part of their curriculum in France” he averred.
Ambassador Xavier and his team pledged his government’s continued cooperation on values especially women’s rights, supporting rights defenders, refugees in the Nakivale and Kyangwali camps where through UNHCR, the embassy has committed 900,000 euros to fund the salaries of 37 secondary school teachers
