BY RAY ROBERT MUSINGUZI
Officials from the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development have commended Kasese Municipal Council for effectively utilizing the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) funds.
After the successful implementation of the first phase of the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) Program, government received additional financing to the tune of US dollars 360 million from the World Bank/IDA to implement the second phase of the Program (USMID Additional Financing-USMID-AF) for 5 years starting with the 2018/2019 Financial Year.
USMID-AF was meant to maintain the development objective of “Enhancing Institutional Capacity of Eight Selected Local Governments” including Kasese Kitgum, Kamuli, Mubende, Busia, Ntungamo, Apac and Lugazi and also introduce support to 8 districts of Adjumani, Moyo, Yumbe, Arua, Isingiro, Kiryandongo, Kamwenge and Lamwo that have faced a high influx of refugees.
Today morning, when the officials from Ministry visited Kasese Municipal Council to carry out an evaluation of the USMID projects scheduled to close of June 30, 2024, they were excited when they learnt that during the implementation, at least shillings 11 billion had been saved from the original budget to work on three roads and fence the Municipal Offices.
The roads constructed using the saved money include Crescent in Nyamwamba Division, Portal and Rukidi in the Central Division.
Ms Fauzia Nakaazi, a Lawyer from M/S Esteem International Consultants Limited which was constructed by government to carry out evaluation of the project implementation, applauded the leaders and community members for working together towards ensuring effective utilization of USMID funds.
Ms Annet Mutabazi, the Coordinator for USMID Project in Kasese Municipality told the stakeholders that USMID has for far given shillings 49 billion to the urban centre to work on a number of roads such as Rwenzori, Mboghoyabo, Rukidi, Crescent and Bus Park Circular and several Streets like the Margherita, Stanley, Kitalikibi and Park Rise.
She also revealed that USMID was also able to help in capacity building of at least two technical staff, procured a lorry for garbage collection and offered office equipment.
Mr. Saimon Bikeke, a member of the Kasese Municipal Development Forum representing Slum Dwellers said he was happy that the roads constructed under USMID have been able to uplift the face of the urban centre and improve on the water drainage system.
He also observed need for the residents to utilize the already constructed roads to establish friendly related businesses in order to improve their livelihoods.
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