The government of Uganda and that of Japan recently signed a loan agreement to the tune of USD 55 million (equivalent to JPY 5.406 billion) for the Interconnection Power Project of the Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program (NELSAP), one of the two Nile Basin Initiative investment programs.

Uganda’s Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Hon. Syda Bbumba signed on behalf of Uganda while Mr. Seki, a representative of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed on behalf of Japan.  The signing ceremony took place on 26 March 2010 in Kampala and was witnessed by H.E. Mr. Keiichi Kato, Japan’s Ambassador of to Uganda.

Mr. David Malingha Doya, journalist at The East African, was the winner of the 2009 Nile Media Awards.
The award giving ceremony, held at the While Horse Inn in Kabale District, southwestern Uganda, was attended by Hon. Maria Mutagamba, Minister of Water and Environment of Uganda, Senior Officials from the Uganda Ministry of Water and Environment, Local Authorities from the Kabale District Local Government, Representatives of the Nile Media Network Chapters, Civil Society, as well as staff of the Nile Basin Initiative.  The event took place on 22 February 2010 in conjunction with this year’s Nile Day Regional celebrations.

Schoolboys and girls, local leaders, youth and women from Ndorwa West County, representatives of the Nile Media Network Chapters from the nine countries of the Nile Basin, civil society represented by the Nile Basin Discourse, representative of the Development Partners as well as staff of the Nile Basin Initiative took part in the Regional Nile Day celebrations.  The event was organized in conjunction with the Kabale District Local Government in southwestern Uganda.

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania  8 December 2009 — Nile Basin leaders praised ten years of cooperation under the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) and made a strong appeal for continued collaboration as countries look to accelerate investments in power, agriculture, and water resource management. 
At a conference marking NBI’s 10th Anniversary, participants and stakeholders gathered at the Mlimani City Conference Centre to take stock of NBI’s achievements in bringing countries together, increasing cooperation, and providing a platform for dialogue and peace. Participants called for intensified efforts by the Nile Basin countries to build on the achievements and to create a permanent river basin organization so that the people of the region can reap further benefits of cooperation.

 

Opening the conference, H.E. Dr. Ali Mohamed Shein, Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania said, “Ten years ago there was an atmosphere of mistrust, suspicion, and doubts. Today Nile basin countries are open to each other, ready and willing to interact and exchange information.  This is an achievement to be cherished, nourished, and nurtured by all.”