The government of Uganda has commended the significant contributions of development partners in advancing Uganda’s agriculture, energy, and water sectors.
This recognition was made during an event commemorating 35 years of the Foundation of Netherlands Volunteers (SNV), held at its headquarters in Bugolobi, Kampala.
Hon. Fred Bwino Kyakulaga, State Minister for Agriculture, lauded SNV for its consistent support, urging the organization to extend its interventions to underserved regions.
“SNV has demonstrated a strong commitment to Uganda’s development priorities. However, there’s a need to expand these initiatives to other areas to ensure inclusive growth,” Kyakulaga said.
Since its establishment in Uganda in 1989, SNV with a focus on the agri-food, energy, and water sectors, leverages its expertise and technical assistance to drive sustainable development throughout Uganda, making a tangible difference in the lives of millions of people.
This has been evident with the Community Action Program first in West Nile,The Inclusive Dairy Enterprise Project(TIDE),The African Biodigester Component Project and many other efforts such as leveraging Climate Finance for Agri-business SMEs,supporting energy efficiency and environmental protection initiatives.
The event also marked the launch of the third phase of the Innovations Against Poverty (IAP) program, a specialized fund aimed at fostering social and economic transformation by supporting inclusive and innovative businesses.
Mascha de Wildt, SNV’s Global Executive Team Leader, emphasized the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to drive lasting change in communities.
“Creating meaningful and sustainable change requires joint efforts across sectors. The IAP fund reflects our commitment to addressing systemic challenges through innovation and inclusivity,” de Wildt noted.
SNV Uganda Country Director, Phomolo Maphosa, attributed the organization’s success over the past 35 years to its alignment with Uganda’s national development goals.
She highlighted the organization’s focus on enhancing agricultural productivity, improving water and sanitation, and increasing access to clean energy as critical pathways for sustained growth.
“Uganda’s development journey is deeply intertwined with the well-being of its communities. By addressing these core areas, we aim to empower more Ugandans to achieve better livelihoods,” Maphosa said.
The SNV milestone celebration comes as Uganda intensifies efforts to achieve its Vision 2040 goals of inclusive and sustainable development, with the support of global and local partners.