EU Officials Visit Yei to Check Project Impact

(YEI RIVER COUNTY) – Officials from the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the European Union (EU) visited Yei River County on Tuesday to assess the impact of EU funded projects in the area.

County Executive Director Hillary John Konga, representing the commissioner, welcomed the delegation and confirmed that the county remains peaceful and secure.

“Yei River County is stable, and residents are carrying out daily activities freely,” Konga said. “Recent festive seasons, including Christmas and New Year, were observed without any security incidents.”

Konga praised the support of GIZ and EU partners, noting that their interventions have strengthened government efforts in service delivery and promoted social cohesion. He urged continued assistance to maintain and expand these gains.

The visit allowed EU officials to observe project performance on the ground and evaluate the effectiveness of programs implemented by partner organisations in Yei River County.

“It has been a valuable visit, helping us follow up on the implementation of projects across the county,” said one EU official, who was visiting Yei for the first time.

Stepous Sgobba, an EU representative, explained the mission’s purpose was to assess whether projects should continue based on their impact and relevance to community needs.

Alice Oleya, also from the EU, highlighted challenges common in conflict affected areas and stressed the importance of resilience and targeted interventions. She noted one project specifically empowers men through training and capacity building to prevent sexual and gender-based violence.

On infrastructure, Yei’s Director of Physical Infrastructure, Richard Lugala Godo, said development projects have made a positive difference despite setbacks such as the breakdown of Wuluturu Bridge. He noted the bridge is under government repair and called for further support to ensure a lasting reconstruction.

In agriculture, Assistant Commissioner Asiki Moses emphasised empowering women through Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) to improve household food security. He said support for both women and men is crucial for sustainable livelihoods.

The visit concluded with discussions between county authorities and development partners on strengthening cooperation and addressing gaps to enhance the impact of development initiatives in Yei River County.