Uganda has launched the fourth phase of the Northern Uganda Social Action Fund (NUSAF IV), a Shs1 trillion initiative designed to reduce poverty and expand livelihoods across nine sub-regions by December 2031. Officials inducted local government leaders and technical staff in Gulu City this week to prepare for the program's rollout.
Scope and targets of the program
NUSAF IV covers Acholi, West Nile, Lango, Teso, Karamoja, Elgon, Bukedi, Busoga and Bunyoro sub-regions. Program organizers aim to create 860,000 jobs and strengthen resilience among 1.8 million vulnerable people over the roughly six-year implementation period. The initiative builds on three earlier phases of NUSAF, which began in 2003 to support post-conflict recovery and poverty reduction in northern Uganda.
Calls for transparency and accountability
James Ebitu, a senior World Bank official, told local leaders that support levels would vary according to differing degrees of vulnerability across targeted areas, and he urged district officials to ensure resources reach the communities that need them most. Alex Kakooza, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, cautioned against political favoritism, demands for unofficial payments and weak financial oversight, stressing that effective delivery depends on responsible management of public funds. His remarks were delivered on his behalf by NUSAF IV head Dr. Robert Limlim.
Local leaders flag past problems
Pader District chairperson Alfred Akena welcomed the new phase but warned against repeating issues tied to earlier interventions, including alleged diversion of funds and cases where intended beneficiaries were bypassed. He also urged planners to factor in climate change risks and to safeguard community land rights during implementation. Gulu City Mayor Julius Achire Labeja pressed program managers to prioritize youth skills training and job creation, while State Minister for Northern Uganda Beatrice Akori called for radio broadcasts and community outreach to inform residents how they can access the program's benefits.
What remains uncertain
While officials have outlined broad targets, specifics on disbursement timelines, selection criteria for individual beneficiaries, and monitoring mechanisms to prevent fund diversion were not detailed in the induction briefings. Local leaders' concerns suggest that accountability safeguards will be a key test of whether NUSAF IV achieves its stated goals more effectively than previous phases.