By: Ismael Kasooha

KAMPALA

The Prime Minister of Uganda Rt. Hon. Nabbanja Robinah has met a delegation from the World Bank who called on her in Kampala on Wednesday and assured them of the Government’s commitment to ensure social protection.

Nabbanja said that the government of Uganda has developed the Disaster Risk Management Plan and Standard Operating Procedures as a directive of H.E. the President of Uganda, and caters for cash transfers to persons at risk of drought, floods, and landslides among others.

“We are committed as a government to ensure that we enhance social protection systems through the various government interventions such as mainstream Disaster Risk Reduction in NDP III programmes, District Development Plans, Parish Development Model, and empowering the vulnerable to become resilient,” said Nabbanja.

The Prime Minister assured the World Bank delegation that Uganda, despite the COVID-19 pandemic that hit the world, has continued to develop.

“Our population has developed resilience and that is why as a country we were not badly affected as a country,” said Nabbanja.

Michael Rutkowski, the global director of social protection and jobs at the World Bank Group said there is a need for the government to invest more in social protection systems.

“The COVID -19 pandemic exposed many vulnerabilities even among people who were deemed to be stable so there is a need to strengthen the social protection mechanisms all over the world,” said Rutkowski.

Rutkowski added that the World Bank is ready to connect Ugandan youths on the labour Market and work with the government of Uganda to improve the livelihoods of the people.

“As World Bank we are ready to work with the Government of Uganda to connect the youths on the labour market for social protection,” said Rutkowski.

The World Bank director lauded Uganda for its work aimed at empowering the populace to be more resilient, adaptive and responsive to shocks.

Social protection aims to reduce vulnerability by building resilience so that people can withstand shocks that could force them into poverty.

Shock Responsive Social Protection points to the impact of environmental shocks in the country and highlights how recent increases in poverty appear to be the result of shocks such as severe drought and crop pests.

The meeting was attended by the Finance Minister Matia Kasaija, Grace Freedom Kwinycwiny, the State Minister in charge Northern Uganda, World Bank staff among others.

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