In South western region of Kamwenge district, projects worth Ugx. 24 billion were launched by the Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Judith Nabakooba funded by the World Bank’s refugee window. Through the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development-Additional Funding (USMID-AF) program, these initiatives targeted both the host and refugee populations, aiming to create shared prosperity and improve infrastructure.
The improvements include 58 kilometres of renovated murram roads, two resource centers, and a contemporary market with lock-up stores, stalls, and parking for trucks and small vehicles, among others.
According to Kamwenge District Chairman Joseph Katungi, ” these new set of infrastructure will henceforth add value in the local government by stimulating development and also harmonising the co-existence between host communities and refugees.”
Ministers Frank Tumwebaze and Judith Nabakooba, inside a new resource centre in Kamwenge district
The Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Judith Nabakooba advised that the country’s on-going investments on land and
property through modern infrastructure are part of the collective vision of the ministry.
“We require that as much land as feasible in the public and private sectors be fully registered and developed with the necessary infrastructure based on
physical plans. These assets promote economic growth and prosperity,” Nabakooba stated after commissioning the projects in Kamwenge East County.
The program, Uganda Support for Municipal Infrastructure Development USMID was the primary government agency through which the World Bank pledged $60 million to finance initiatives in refugee host districts.
“USMID is a results-oriented initiative that employs government systems for procurement, planning, and financial management. However, in order to continue receiving financing, you must first demonstrate outcomes. “
Part of the local-up shops funded under USMID
The Kamwenge district has received significant financing, accounting for 11.7% of the $60 million allocated to all refugee host districts, according to Gilbert Kiracho, the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist at USMID-AF.
Other local governments identified and sponsored by this fund that have carried out similar initiatives include Adjumani, Moyo, Madi-Okolo, Arua, Terego, Obongi, Lawmo, Isingiro Kiryandongo, and Yumbe.
Frank Tumwebaze, Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries, urged the Kamwenge community to take advantage of the newly refurbished murram roads, markets, and resource centers for economic gains.
“We should use the 58 km of rebuilt feeder roads and the new modern marketplaces to increase agricultural production, marketing, and sales of what
we grow,” Tumwebaze stated.
“We are an agricultural district, so we should grow economically.”
A mordern Bisozi market in Kamwenge district.
Sylvia Bahairera, a Kamwenge Woman Member of Parliament, urged women from both refugee and host communities to rise above common problems and empower themselves through the new line of projects.
” We have been extremely fortunate to secure these well-thought-out projects for our communities.We must now be counted as active economic actors. These market stalls benefit us, and we should create and sell as much as possible here,” Bahairera said.
Loy Ninsiima, a Kamwenge resident, advised the government to extend empowerment funds in communities with such amenities so that they might receive additional working money.
“If the government can now provide us with give us some working capital to grow more produce and buy stock for selling, we shall be able to use this market properly,” she said.
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