The Minister for Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Judith Nabakooba, has officially commissioned government projects worth UGX 18 billion in Kamwenge District, implemented under the Uganda Support for Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) program.
The commissioned projects aim to improve physical planning, secure land tenure, and provide static infrastructure investments, benefiting the district’s residents and refugees.
Minister Nabakooba emphasized that the program’s focus on Kamwenge District is due to its significant refugee population, and the projects will enhance commercial agriculture through improved road connectivity from gardens to newly constructed markets.
Minister Nabakooba said that the projects were extended to Kamwenge district because it is a refugee hosting community, and it also fulfills their mandate of fostering social cohesion between communities and refugees.
“The program is here in Kamwenge because you host many refugees. This will improve physical planning, secure land tenure, and allow you to enjoy some static infrastructure investments,” Minister Nabakooba said.
She added that with the infrastructural developments, there will be an enhancement in commercial agriculture since roads connect to locals from gardens to newly constructed markets.
Gilbert Kiracho, the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist of USMID programs, representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Lands, Dorcus Okalany, highlighted that the program bridges the gap between service delivery and rapid urban growth. By 2040, Uganda’s urban population is projected to exceed 20 million, accounting for 30% of the population.
The technical team at the district was praised for efficiently utilizing the funds to transform Kamwenge District.
Minister Tumwebaze requested consideration for additional funding under the same program to extend the developments to other areas within the district.
The District Sports Officer, Meron Kyarisiima, expressed gratitude for the newly constructed playground, which will promote talent development among the young generation.
The USMID program in Kamwenge District has resulted in the construction of a playground in Nkoma-Katalyeba Town Council, two resource centers at Nkoma-Katalyeba Town Council and Nkoma Sub-County headquarters, upgrading of two murram roads to grade C, including Mabale-Kabuga-Rukunyu Hospital Road in Nkoma Sub-County and Businge-Kantembwe-Buregyeya-Nkoma Road, and the establishment of two markets in Nkoma-Katalyeba Town Council and Nkoma Sub-County.
USMID is a government program funded by the World Bank, aimed at enhancing the institutional capacity of local governments.