The Minister for Local Government, Raphael Magyezi, announced the launch of the new 2.1 trillion shilling Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Urban Development Programme (GKMA-UDP). This initiative aims to rejuvenate the four greater Kampala districts of Mukono, Mpigi, Kampala, and Wakiso.
Minister Magyezi emphasized the significance of Kampala, being the hub for international meetings, embassies, parliament, and judiciary. He highlighted the challenge of developing Kampala and its surroundings separately, stressing the need for integrated development across the four districts.
During the handover ceremony of vehicles to Chief Administrative Officers and town clerks from nine district local governments and municipalities, Minister Magyezi reiterated the program’s objective to enhance infrastructure such as roads, markets, and drainage systems.
The program, funded by a $566 million grant from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank Group, aims to foster comprehensive physical planning across the entire Kampala region, including Wakiso, Mpigi, Entebbe, and Mukono.
Minister Magyezi commended the World Bank’s support, aligning the program with Uganda’s Vision 2040 and the NRM manifesto. However, he cautioned against the misuse of vehicles provided for program monitoring, urging officials to prioritize their duties.
Hajjati Minsa Kabanda, the Minister for Greater Kampala, emphasized the program’s goal to eliminate fragmented development efforts, ensuring holistic infrastructure improvements across the metropolitan area.
Minister Kabanda stressed the importance of prudent resource utilization and emphasized the need for contracts to prioritize Ugandan contractors.
Monica Edemachu Ejua, the undersecretary in the Office of the President, outlined the program’s objectives, including addressing traffic congestion, flooding, and unemployment in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area.
The program, spanning five years, aims to construct main roads to alleviate congestion and develop markets as economic hubs for youth and women. Institutional strengthening initiatives will enhance the capacity of municipalities and district local governments to effectively implement the program.
