President Yoweri Museveni held a productive meeting with Danish Envoy, Mr. Dan Jorgensen, Minister for Development Cooperation & Global Climate Policy, and his delegation at State Lodge Nakasero on Wednesday, January 24.
During the discussion, President Museveni sought Danish support for his wetland reclamation initiative, aimed at addressing the challenge posed by illegal rice cultivation in swamps crucial for Uganda’s rainfall patterns.
“I have a wetland reclamation program to encourage these illegal rice growers to relocate. They are there illegally, so I try to incentivize them. If you can mobilize funding to encourage them to leave the swamps and engage in fish farming on the periphery, it would be beneficial,” President Museveni explained.
In response, the Danish envoy praised President Museveni’s commitment to climate change and refugee issues, expressing Denmark’s eagerness to back Uganda’s wetland reclamation program. Denmark pledged $95 million to help combat climate change effects and provide support to refugees.
President Museveni commended Denmark’s support, highlighting the significance of preserving Uganda’s natural resources, especially the tributaries of the River Nile. He reiterated Uganda’s dedication to sustainable development in the face of climate change.
The Danish delegation, consisting of key figures such as Mr. Thomas Anker Christensen (Climate Ambassador) and Ms. Signe Winding Albjerg (Danish Ambassador to Uganda), was accompanied by Mr. Ole Thonke (Under Secretary for Development Policy).
On the Ugandan side, attendees included the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gen Jeje Odongo, and Mr. Bagiire Vincent Waiswa, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, among others.