The North is a spark away from sustainably developing
According to our patron, Dr. Katusiime Juliet, major parts of upcountry Uganda are a spark away from sustainably developing into a ‘Switzerland of this continent’ and more. These are remarks she made following her recent visit to the West Nile Region, a region found in the northwest of Uganda. Juliet recounts this as her first time visiting the region, and it was the only part of the country she had never visited.
She stresses that northern Uganda in general stands a chance to be a leader in having an organized, well-planned land use and development, despite the past years of turmoil that affected the region, with some of the effects persisting such as the land questions following displacements into camps.
The land is arable, the landscape is lush, and the people are hopeful and energetic.
A section of the lush grass, one can see via the Murchison Falls National Park and other roads.
However, deliberate action and goodwill is needed to support the region in that much-needed and possible sustainable development. This, she adds, has to include ensuring good land governance, proper and goal-oriented land use planning and development, adequate capacity development of the people and institutions, and ofcourse peace and stability.
Northern Uganda is already a bold story, it needs to get a more exciting story of organized growth, that can be told when one is there, and back from whence they came. We all can contribute to this story.
A spectacular view of the Karuma Water (fall) on the Victoria Nile section of River Nile).