Museveni and S. Korean leader open rural aid project

Uganda’s president Yoweri Museveni and visiting South Korean leader, Park Guen-Hye on Monday launched South Korea’s aid programme for Uganda.

We should borrow a leaf from South Korea on being economical, working hard and community service. pic.twitter.com/jwaUYX2qab

— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) May 30, 2016

The assistance will come in form of series of rural and agricultural development policies.

The move is part of Korea’s latest sign of commitment in boosting development and cooperation in Africa, All Africa.com reports.

President Museveni said the rural development model initiated by president Guen-Hye’s father in the 1970s will train beneficiaries in hardworking, frugality and communal service.

“The philosophy of South Korean movement which creates mindset change to transform rural communities has worked well for them,” he said.

The programme will provide mobile health care and nutritional support to local people in Mpigi district where the project was launched.

Museveni complained that many Ugandans are extravagant and “are spendthrift when they are poor, but Koreans are now telling us they got out of poverty because they were economical”.

At least 10 vehicles, including ambulances will be provided through the programme that will allow local people to experience South Korean culture.

According to a Korean official, nine South Korean doctors and nurses will join hands with 10 Ugandan counterparts to provide basic medical services to about 150 local people.

The rural development programme, initiated by Park’s father, then-President Park Chung-Hye in the 1970s, is credited with helping to modernise the then-rural South Korean economy.

“As a close friend of Uganda and a partner of Saemaul Undong, South Korea will always be on that path with Uganda,” Park said in the opening ceremony.

Park’s visit is the first since South Korea and Uganda established diplomatic relations in 1963.