The state minister for Bunyoro Affairs, Jennifer Namuyangu Kacha, has revealed that despite the World Bank halting the approval of new loans for Uganda, the implementation of the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) Program will continue.
The USMID program is being implemented by the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development with funding from the World Bank.
Masindi Municipality and Kiryandongo District are among the beneficiaries of Municipal Infrastructure Development Uganda Cities and Municipalities (UCMID), which will be implemented between 2024 and 2029, an extension of the USMID Program that is phasing out in December this year.
However, last month, the World Bank halted the approval of new loans to Uganda after President Museveni enacted the anti-homosexuality bill.
In an exclusive interview with our reporter this afternoon, Minister Namuyangu said the program will be implemented despite the World Bank’s decision, noting that the government is also in talks with the World Bank to reverse the decision.
The minister also courageously said that even if the World Bank halts funding, the project will continue, citing countries like Malaysia and neighboring countries that have developed without World Bank funding.
The Masindi Municipal Mayor, Ronald Kyomuhendo Businge, says if the program is implemented, they will get new roads and streetlights, which will boost business in the town.
Kyomuhendo discloses that they have already filled out the UCMID forms and are waiting for a response from the ministry of land, housing, and urban development.
DONDO ALLAN
