Lives and Livelihoods Fund Engages with Ugandan Officials to Boost Economic Growth and Food Security

The Ministry of Local Government, Uganda, hosted a 13-member senior delegation from the Lives and Livelihoods Fund (LLF) from August 14–18, 2023. The 5-day working visit was organized under the LLF-supported initiative, titled, Local Economic Growth Support (LEGS) Project, co-financed by the Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Local Government. The Project is executed through the Ministry of Local Government with The Microfinance Centre (MSC) and Millennium Promise Alliance, Uganda as an Implementing Partner and Technical Backstopping Consultant. The LEGS project is a collaborative initiative of global partners such as the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD), and King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief).
The LEGS Project covers 17 Districts of Uganda including Adjumani, Alebtong, Bunyangabu, Buikwe, Buyende, Gomba, Kabarole, Katakwi, Kyenjojo, Kibuuku, Kumi, Luweero, Nakaseke, Ntoroko, Nwoya, Rukungiri and Tororo.
The objective of the workshop was to articulate and reinforce the joint efforts of the Fund and the Government of Uganda in prioritizing medium to long-term development goals such as poverty reduction, sustainable development, and climate change management through the LEGS project. The Islamic Development Bank investment in Uganda through the Lives and Livelihoods Fund (LLF) has been a milestone achievement for the country. The Fund started its field activities in 2019 through a US$ 33 million flagship initiative to construct rural infrastructure and $10 million IsDB Rural Finance Scheme loan for the Local Economic Growth Support (LEGS) Project, covering the 17 districts.
LLF’s work in Uganda supports a range of direct and indirect sectors, while focusing on three programmatic pillars:
- agricultural productivity and value chain development
- sustainable and inclusive economic growth
- human capital and institutional capacity development
The LLF partners witnessed the impacts of LEGS Project during the mission visit. The delegation headed by Dr. Issahaq Umar Iddrisu, Manager Islamic Development Bank Regional Hub Kampala, engaged in senior-level talks with Ministers and Permanent Secretaries of Ministry of Local Government; Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development; Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities; Ministry of Water and Environment; Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries; and Ministry of Trade, Industries and Cooperatives. The meetings focused on fostering greater collaboration towards ensuring steady economic growth and sustainable food security in Uganda.
The delegation visited select project sites in the Rwenzori sub-region to observe the interventions, structures and support put in place to enhance smallholder farming systems, and bolster value chains of strategic food security crops such as rice, maize, coffee, and tea. The delegation also visited farmers, market traders, business cooperatives and female and youth entrepreneurs to discuss how they are benefitting from the LEGS project to play a better role in the agricultural and economic development of local communities.
The IsDB-administered LLF’s financial support to key growth sectors such as rural infrastructure, agricultural productivity, human capital development, adoption of renewable energy, and sustainable use of Uganda’s natural resources, is crucial to sustainably improve the economic status and reduce environmental vulnerabilities of disenfranchised communities.
Millennium Promise Alliance is committed to assisting the Government of Uganda implement vital programs like Local Economic Growth Support (LEGS) through provision of science-based and innovative practical solutions. In support of the Ministry of Local Government, under the LEGS project we are helping to strengthen rural infrastructure, improve household income and livelihoods, as well as develop climate smart interventions along the agriculture value chains.
Source: IsDB.org | Livesandlivelihoodsfund.org





