The Lives and Livelihoods Fund (LLF) delegation, comprised of representatives from the Islamic Development Bank, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD), and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), concluded their 5-day working visit to Uganda yesterday August 14, with a reaffirmed commitment to the country’s development.
The delegation met with key government officials and stakeholders to discuss the progress and impact of the Local Economic Growth Support (LEGS) Project, a US$33 million initiative co-financed by the Government of Uganda.
During the visit, high-level dialogues were held with Minister of Local Government Hon. Raphael Magyezi, officials from the Finance Ministry, and Board Directors of The Microfinance Support Centre Dr. Issahaq Umar Iddrisu, Manager of Islamic Development Bank – Regional Hub Kampala, led discussions on the challenges facing local livelihoods and agricultural productivity, emphasizing the need for innovative financing models and technological resources to address these issues.
Highlighting the importance of the partnership, H.E. Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, praised the success of the LEGS Project, which has distributed millions of high-yielding coffee, tea, and vanilla seeds to transform subsistence farms into viable commercial operations. He stressed the value of sustainable development and teamwork, reflecting the UAE’s vision of prosperity and self-sustainability.
Statistics presented during the visit highlighted the significance of LLF’s role in Uganda, where over 80% of the population resides in rural areas and relies on agriculture for their livelihoods. The LLF-supported project addresses challenges faced by smallholder farmers, including limited land ownership, lack of access to essential resources, and inadequate infrastructure.
Key impacts of the LEGS Project were discussed, including the distribution of seedlings, community-based artificial insemination services for cattle farmers, and the acquisition of farm inputs through Shariah-compliant microfinance facilities. Additionally, the construction of milk collection and cooling centers, multi-purpose bulking centers, livestock markets, and market sheds aims to improve agricultural productivity, food security, and income generation.
Both LLF and the Ugandan Government expressed their commitment to a sustainable approach that enhances agricultural productivity, strengthens agrifood systems, and reduces vulnerability to market shocks and climate change. This aligns with Uganda’s Vision 2040 to transition into an upper-middle-income country.
The Lives and Livelihoods Fund, launched in 2016 with a funding of US$2.5 billion, focuses on addressing nine Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across 33 IsDB member countries. With partners such as ADFD, Gates Foundation, IsDB, ISFD, KSRelief, and QFFD, LLF aims to uplift the poorest populations by promoting health, agriculture, and basic infrastructure projects.
The successful visit of the LLF delegation demonstrates the potential for collaborative efforts between international institutions and local governments to bring about meaningful change and sustainable development for communities in need.
