State Secretary Hans Winkler in Uganda

Kampala, 5 June 2008 - "Uganda is a priority country as regards Austria’s development policy. From the very beginning it has been our goal to develop and implement solutions to existing problems through active exchange with local business, academia and civil society. For this reason the Austrian Development Cooperation programme orients itself towards Uganda’s poverty reduction programme, and coordinates its work with national partners and other donors," iterated State Secretary Hans Winkler following his visit to a number of development projects in the Gulu region of Northern Uganda.

Potable water provision and local sanitation, the reform of the judiciary, decentralisation, conflict prevention, peace-keeping and the development of the private sector, are all priority areas in which Austria is particularly active.

"Our approach is to help people help themselves and make them self-reliant," asserted Winkler. This includes, among other things, the re-integration into society of kidnapped children and former child soldiers, the provision of knowledge as regards the prevention of further conflict, as well as the development and reinforcement of the judicial system and local organisations.

"Following horrific years of armed conflict, people in northern Uganda finally expect the country to develop peacefully. But they also expect that those guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity are called to account. There must be no impunity," stated Winkler, referring to the many years of suffering as well as the displacement and killing of thousands of people by the Lord Resistance Army (LRA) and other rebel groups. "Strengthening Uganda’s judicial system is therefore another special concern of ours. The International Criminal Court, where cases are pending against Joseph Kony, the leader of LRA, and other LRA members, must be able to meet its responsibility as regards the avoidance of impunity with reference to the most serious crimes," emphasised Winkler.

The State Secretary welcomed "the slow improvement of the human rights situation in northern Uganda". The Lord Resistance Army’s tentative withdrawal and the ongoing peace talks have helped to improve the situation, as well as contributed to the return of numerous refugees. "The suffering of the population must be put to an end," avowed Winkler, who also expressed his concern as to the continued recruitment and deployment of child soldiers in armed militia units. "Children are deprived of their youth and the country is deprived of a peaceful future. The initial steps taken by Uganda to put an end to these severe violations of children’s rights are encouraging, they must, however, result in genuine measures and achievements," emphasised Winkler.

Contact:

Federal Ministry for
European and International Affairs
Office of the State Secretary
Katharina Swoboda
Tel.: ++43 (0) 50 1150-3469
E-Mail: katharina.swoboda(at)bmeia.gv.at
http://www.mfa.at