Northern Uganda still ignorant about PRDP

By Rolex Akena

People of Northern Uganda are still ignorant about a new government initiated project on Peace, Recovery and Development Program-PRDP. The project’s major aim is to empower and rebuild northern Uganda devastated by the 20-year old LRA war.

According to a survey carried out by Free Voice in camps and villages in the regions, 80 % of the people are not knowledgeable about the project and 15% have heard of it over radios but do not know how it will work, while 5% have read it in the news papers.

The research was conducted in the sub counties of Patiko, Pabongo, and Onyama for Gulu district.

Free Voice is a Dutch-supported organization which supports media activities some African countries.

In Lira it was conducted in the sub counties of Ogur, Okwang, and Olilim. In Pader, it was Patongo Omot and Pajule sub counties.

Steven Opoka of Patiko said he did not hear of the project but in his views, PRDP should dish out money door to door while other responsibilities remain in the hands of government, citing construction of hospitals, schools, roads, and clean water.

To back up his money distribution strategy, Opoka argues that PRDP project is intended to help in poverty eradication amongst the people of the region so there is need to hand out money to individuals.

Wokorach Beatrice of Onyama in Gulu said she has never heard of the program but if her views could be considered, she would advise government to construct schools, Hospitals, good roads and clean water.

In Lira Opio Peter of Ogur said there is need for the government to give out farm inputs to the people who are now returning to their villages to enable them start new life.

David Ocen reserved his comments saying the project may not take off because government has not been fulfilling her pledges to the people of northern Uganda and above all government projects move slowly so he can not give out his views.

However, the Lira district LC V chairperson Franco Ojur says the district will consider rural electrification where there had been power before the war, tarmaking roads in the municipality, constructing bridges, beside other small initiatives.

Meanwhile Gulu District Chairperson Norbert Mao says his district has a comprehensive plan for the entire Acholi sub region about PRDP.

Mao advises government to grant special consideration to the sub regions which suffered most during LRA war citing Acholi, Lango and Teso compare to other district that have been included in the PRDP implementation.

But the minister in charge of northern Uganda David Wakikona says PRDP implementation will depend on bottom to top approach to enable close linkage among stakeholders from village up to central government level.

Concerning the sensitization of the local people he blames the local government for failing to collect the views of their people to be considered in the PRDP documents.

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Filed under: Features