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IAK participates in delegation trip to Uganda

Uganda is located in East Africa and encompasses the northern part of Lake Victoria. The population, officially reported at 43 million, is growing rapidly and will double in the foreseeable future. The average age (median) is 15.9 years. A good 20% of the population lives on less than USD 2 per day. Electricity is largely supplied by hydroelectric power and thus almost exclusively based on renewable energy sources. However, the country lacks the infrastructure to supply the entire population with electricity. Approximately 80% of Uganda's inhabitants work in the agricultural sector. This is mainly subsistence farming, i.e. producing "for one's own stomach instead of one's own wallet".

During the trip, the members of the delegation had the opportunity to establish contacts with entrepreneurs, scientists and representatives of Ugandan civil society. During a face-to-face meeting with the President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, it became clear that one of the main goals of the Ugandan government is to increase value creation in the agri-food sector. Currently, Uganda is struggling with large post-harvest losses, for example. In addition, the sometimes very heterogeneous quality of the harvested products makes it difficult to export them to the surrounding African countries.

Also impressive was the visit to Ugandan start-ups in the capital Kampala, where the members of the delegation met young entrepreneurs who are developing innovative ideas and building their businesses with a lot of commitment.

The program also included a visit to humanitarian projects in Uganda that have been supported by Saxon NGOs for many years, such as a project to support mothers who live off fishing at Lake Victoria. Also the medical staff of the University of Leipzig has longstanding project-related relations with the health sector in Uganda.

Inspired by all these interesting insights, numerous, diverse ideas were already discussed during the trip on how Saxony and Uganda can further deepen bilateral relations on an economic, humanitarian and scientific level. These discussions will be continued.

07.07.2022
international national