Support to Agricultural Revitalization and Transformation Facility (START) under the Development Initiative for Northern Uganda (DINU) Programme.
The United National Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) in partnership with the European Union and the Government of Uganda is implementing a four year Development Initiative for Northern Uganda (DINU). The general objective of the Programme is to consolidate stability in Northern Uganda, eradicate poverty and under-nutrition and strengthen the foundations for sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development.
The START funding facility is designed to support the implementation of DINU food security and nutrition component and will benefit the 33 districts in Northern Uganda. START is structured as a blended financing facility providing a customized mix of Business Development Services, project development and financial structuring services and financial products to small and medium businesses engaged in agricultural value addition. These three lines of business are integral parts of the facility and are managed by the three participating institutions Private Sector Foundation of Uganda (PSFU), UNCDF and Uganda Development Bank Limited (UDBL) respectively.
START is expected to contribute to increased food security, improved maternal and child nutrition, and enhanced household incomes as a key outcome of the Development Initiative for Northern Uganda (DINU). DINU is a Government of Uganda programme supported by the European Union for an amount of 132,8 Mio EUR (approximatively 603 billion UGX).
START geographic coverage is aligned with DINU geographic coverage, i.e. it comprises 33 districts in Northern Uganda as listed below;
Region |
Districts covered |
Karamoja |
Abim, Amudat, Kaabong, Kotido, Moroto, Nakapiripirit, Napak |
Acholi |
Agago, Amuru, Gulu, Kitgum, Lamwo, Nwoya, Omoro, Pader |
Lango |
Alebtong, Amolatar, Apac, Dokolo, Kole, Lira, Otuke, Oyam |
Teso |
Amuria, Katakwi |
West Nile |
Adjumani, Arua, Koboko, Maracha, Moyo, Nebbi, Yumbe, Zombo |
START will support development and financing of capital-intensive agricultural projects promoted by small and medium enterprises that add value in storage and processing of agricultural products. START will take into account the impact of the complementary activities for food production and commercial agriculture.
START addresses the “middle missing” gap in agricultural finance targeting projects with a financing requirement from 10,000 EUR (approximately UGX 40 million) to 100,000 EUR (approximately 4 billion UGX). It will closely cooperate and coordinate with other financing and technical facilities supporting agriculture in Uganda.