The Ugandan government plans to begin commissioning hundreds of World Bank-funded projects by the end of June, as the USMID Programme comes to a close.
Obiga Kania, the State Minister for Urban Development, stated that the new municipal roads, markets, and resource centers cost $360 million to construct.
He expects the 10 new cities, 22 municipalities, and 11 refugee- hosting regions that have benefited from the World Bank initiative to properly preserve the assets.
“These are extremely valuable assets that will allow us to continue our urbanization drive. We need to defend them zealously, especially on maintenance,”Obiga warned.
“The outstanding initiatives in your local governments, the capacity built, ought to be upheld and not lost in the coming months.”
Among the new assets that will be released by the end of this month are urban road networks, marketplaces, lock-up stores, abattoirs, parking lots, and resource centers across the 33 local governments that implemented the projects.
Stephen Ajalu, a Senior Urban Specialist with the World Bank, advised local governments to verify that contractors completed all project tasks, including environmental and safety problems.
“Can we assure that these projects are fully functioning and safe for the users as described in this programme,” Ajalu said, advising the authorities to ensure that there are long-term maintenance mechanisms in place.
The three-day meeting in Hoima City, which concluded today, brought together mayors, clerks, engineers, and the local council V chairperson from the local governments that have been implementing projects under the USMID programme.
“We are delighted to have been a part of this programme. We recall with pride that the obstacles of ensuring complete access to construction routes, as supported by the community, have led us this far,” stated Hoima City Mayor Brain Kaboyo.
The World Bank-funded programme aimed to create new road and utility infrastructure, including as street lighting, parking lots, and markets in metropolitan areas; the World Bank provided $360 million.
Masaka City Mayor Florence Namayanja stated, “We are models of urban development. We are now anticipating increasing economic activity in our city as working conditions continue to improve.”
Among other things, the USMID programme used $60 million of the $360 million to expand kilometres of high-grade murram roads connecting refugee communities in 11 districts.
Yumbe District Chairperson Abdul Mutwalib emphasizes the need for expansion of intervention in West Nile, focusing on improving conditions for host communities and refugees.
“This is because the projected impact will be significant. We want to live in better conditions as host communities and refugees,”said the Yumbe District Chairperson.
Dr Isaac Mutenyo, the Coordinator of USMID, a successor initiative dubbed UCMID, Uganda Cities and Municipal Infrastructure Development, is still awaiting World Bank permission after new pipeline projects are approved.
“The next successor programme (UCMID) is being discussed at the highest levels of government and by the World Bank. We will notify the mayors and clerks of the regional cities and municipalities as new developments occur,” Dr Mutenyo stated.
Because of the country’s massive infrastructure deficit, $750 million in additional assistance is being sought from the International Development Assistance (IDA-World Bank).
Last year, the multinational lender halted new loans to Uganda, particularly in crucial areas such as health, education, water, and sanitation, in part due to the recently implemented anti- homosexuality law.
