Hon. Alice K. Kaboyo, Minister of State for Luwero and Rwenzori Affairs, called for renewed focus on affirmative action as a critical tool for inclusive regional development across Uganda. Speaking at the First Joint Regional Development Programme (JRDP) Annual Review Workshop at Speke Resort Munyonyo, she emphasized that targeted interventions remain essential to correcting historical imbalances and ensuring equitable access to resources and services.

“Affirmative action is not merely a policy; it is a moral and economic imperative,” Hon. Kaboyo said. “It allows us to focus on sub-regions that have historically lagged behind, providing the support necessary to restore livelihoods, build infrastructure, and improve service delivery.” The workshop, organized by the Ministry of Local Government under the theme “Deepening Decentralisation to Improve Service Delivery,” brought together government officials, development partners, and regional stakeholders to assess the impact of various initiatives over the period 2020/21 to 2024/25.

Hon. Kaboyo highlighted that the government has invested over UGX 4.7 trillion in affirmative action programmes, including NUSAF, PRDP, DINU, ALREP/KALIP, the Luwero–Rwenzori Development Plan, and Akasiimo. These initiatives have focused on restoring post-conflict regions, enhancing infrastructure, and providing social and economic support to marginalized communities. She noted that while progress has been significant, much work remains to ensure that these investments translate into sustainable development outcomes.

The Minister pointed to persistent disparities across the country, particularly in Karamoja, where poverty stands at 74.2%, Acholi at 20.5%, Bukedi at 29.9%, and Teso at 29.8%. She argued that addressing these gaps requires more than recovery programmes; it demands a shift toward wealth creation, active community mobilization, and stronger coordination among government agencies and development partners. “We must move from simply rebuilding communities to empowering them economically and socially,” she urged.

The two-day workshop also served as a platform to review the overall performance of the Joint Regional Development Programme within the framework of Uganda’s National Development Plan III (NDP III). Discussions focused on lessons learned, challenges encountered, and strategies to deepen decentralization in order to improve service delivery. Participants stressed the importance of aligning local development priorities with national planning to ensure that affirmative action continues to generate tangible improvements for underserved regions.

Hon. Kaboyo’s remarks resonated strongly with attendees, many of whom praised the government’s commitment to equitable development and recognized the need to sustain and expand support for vulnerable areas. Stakeholders underscored that affirmative action is not just about financial investment; it is about creating systems that allow every region, regardless of historical disadvantage, to thrive.