The United Nations resident coordinator in Uganda has pledged support for the government’s new development model, the Parish Development Model.
Ms. Susan Ngongi Namondo, who is starting her tenure in Uganda, expressed her support at a courtesy visit to Economic Policy Research Centre on February 9, 2022. She said: “[I have been] thinking about the Parish Development Model but as the UN, could we propose on supporting a monitoring mechanism that can shine a light on parishes that perform [better]? If some do well then, we could use that as model for the others.”
On February 28, 2022, President Yoweri Museveni will officially launch the PDM as the last mile anchor for improving incomes and welfare of all. Each parish is expected to receive at least Shs 100m to support income generating activities.
Ms. Namondo said she was “definitely keen on establishing a relationship and Keen on pursuing” some research interests with the EPRC.
She said she was interested in seeing research in the “the problems of today” exacerbated by coronavirus pandemic.
“A lighter exercise of looking at the problem of today and what we need to do to get to the other side of the road? From there we can do some solid and operations action points now,” she said.
UN resident coordinator Ms. Susan Ngongi Namondo (L) with EPRC Executive Director Dr. Sarah Ssewanyana at EPRC
She highlighted other areas that the UN could collaborate with EPRC, including social protection, where the Centre can analyse to establish whether there are enough resources in the country to support the vulnerable.
Dr. Sarah Ssewanyana welcomed Ms. Namondo to the Centre and pledged support. She said the Centre has already had collaborations with UNDP in Uganda and other institutions both local and international to support the Centre’s research.
Dr. Ssewanyana said EPRC research is mainly consumed by government, donor partners. She said the Centre was looking forward to cement partnerships with the private sector and civil society.