Farmers are expect to benefit from the program

By: Editor

Vulnerable households in the West Nile sub-region are set to benefit from a new government-funded livelihoods programme aimed at increasing household incomes, boosting agricultural production and strengthening resilience to economic and climate-related shocks.

The region is preparing to implement the fourth phase of the Northern Uganda Social Action Fund (NUSAF IV), which will provide communities with investment capital, support for agricultural production and value addition equipment.

The five-year programme was approved by the World Bank on April 1, 2025, and became effective on April 20, 2026. It will cover all districts and municipalities, as well as Arua City, in the West Nile sub-region.

Speaking during a regional induction meeting for West Nile leaders, the Minister of State for Northern Uganda, Akello Beatrice Akoris, said NUSAF IV offers an opportunity to improve the livelihoods of vulnerable communities.

NUSAF IV is a 276-million-US-dollar programme targeting nine sub-regions across the country. It is financed through a 250-million-US-dollar credit from the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), supplemented by 26 million US dollars in grants from the Global Shield Financing Facility (GSFF) and the Global Financing Facility (GFF).

The programme will be implemented through five components: Sustainable Livelihoods Enhancement, Enhanced Resilience and Human Capital Development, Transformational Delivery, Project Management and Contingent Emergency Response.

These interventions are intended to increase household incomes, strengthen community resilience and create economic opportunities for poor and vulnerable households.

However, Koboko Resident District Commissioner Samuel Mpimbaza Hashaka called for closer cooperation between political and technical leaders to ensure effective implementation of the programme.

He also urged the NUSAF IV Secretariat to maintain regular communication with local leaders to strengthen coordination and address challenges that may arise during implementation.

The programme comes at a time when Northern Uganda continues to face high levels of poverty. According to the Uganda National Household Survey conducted by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), the region’s poverty rate stood at 30.3 per cent in 2024, compared to the national average of 16.5 per cent.

Although poverty in the region has declined from 63 per cent in 2004, it remains significantly higher than the national average.

Yumbe District Chairperson Asiku Abdumutalib, who also chairs the West Nile Development Association (WENDA), called for strict accountability measures to prevent corruption and ensure that the intended beneficiaries receive the programme’s support.

NUSAF IV is the fourth phase of the Northern Uganda Social Action Fund, following the implementation of NUSAF I, II and III.

The release of funds is expected to begin after regional induction meetings for leaders and other stakeholders have been completed and the necessary implementation structures established.

Unlike the previous phases, which were limited to Northern Uganda, NUSAF IV has been expanded to cover nine sub-regions: West Nile, Acholi, Lango, Karamoja, Teso, Bukedi, Bunyoro, Busoga and Elgon.