Annual Meeting: Danish Ambassador hunts for seat

By James Kimbowa, UPA and Maja Halleen Graae, SHRA

The newly arrived Danish ambassador to Uganda Stig Barlyng held an inspiring speech at the MS Uganda annual general meeting (AGM) this year.

“I am home”, the Ambassador said.

He is a long time friend of MS, having commenced his career as Danish volunteer. He pledged his support for MS and its work, and especially emphasised the importance of the role of the Danish development workers (DDWs). He stressed that in these times when the DDW’s role is being increasingly criticised, MS must insist on the significance of the DDWs. And he highlighted their role as ambassadors for the developing world, on their return to Denmark.

The Ambassador’s support was made very tangible. He promised without delay or unnecessary bureaucracy to ensure that visas to Denmark were available when MS wished to facilitate networking initiatives by organising exchange visits to Denmark. Stig Barlyng went on to explain the focus for Danish development assistance for the next five-year period.

“Citizens of any country should to a large extend manage their own affairs. Other nations only come in to assist where the citizens feel they need extra help”, said the Ambassador.

A nation like Uganda has a number of areas that require attention by different actors. But the Danish development assistance cannot engage in everything. Therefore the support will mainly focus on the following areas: decentralisation, human rights, democracy, justice and the fight against corruption.

The strategy is to focus on good governance at different levels like the national Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP), through engaging in agricultural training, information centres, primary health care and improving of water/sanitation. The private sector will also be supported e.g. by linking of Ugandan and Danish entrepreneurs.

The MS AGM is also about learning and sharing experiences. Most Ugandans would not expect an Ambassador to queue for meals or even hunt for a place to sit. But this was quite normal for Stig Barlyng. He and his wife, Jette, were obviously happy to freely interact with different people from the MS family.