Uganda has reaffirmed its commitment to fast-track the implementation of World Bank-funded projects worth $4.62 billion (Shs16.8 trillion) as the government and the lender moved to address delays that have slowed the delivery of major infrastructure and public service investments.
The commitment was made by Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury Ramathan Ggoobi during a meeting with World Bank Division Director for Uganda, Kenya, Somalia and Rwanda, Qimiao Fan, at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development in Kampala.
The meeting focused on strengthening the implementation of development-financed operations, improving project delivery and ensuring that billions of shillings committed to Uganda translate into tangible benefits for citizens through better infrastructure, energy access and public services.
Ggoobi said the government remains committed to working closely with the World Bank to improve the effectiveness of development financing and accelerate projects that are central to Uganda’s economic transformation.
“Our aim is not merely to review individual projects. It is to improve the effectiveness of development financing, accelerate implementation and absorption, and deliver tangible, sustainable results for Ugandans,” Ggoobi said.
He stressed that development projects must be properly prepared and implemented within approved budgets and timelines to ensure taxpayers and development partners receive value for money.
According to figures presented during the Country Portfolio Performance Review, Uganda’s active World Bank portfolio currently stands at $4.62 billion, with about $1.48 billion already disbursed across various projects.
The portfolio supports investments in transport infrastructure, electricity access, urban development, water services, education, health and social protection, making the World Bank one of Uganda’s largest development financing partners.
Fan commended the Ministry of Finance for its continued leadership in addressing challenges affecting the Bank’s portfolio in Uganda but warned that lengthy approval processes remain one of the biggest obstacles to timely project delivery.
“Uganda has a strong and ambitious pipeline. However, approval processes are increasingly becoming one of the most significant risks to timely delivery,” Fan said.
He said the time taken between project preparation, Government approvals, negotiations, procurement and implementation must be shortened if projects are to deliver results faster.
Fan also called for regular joint monitoring of projects as they move through different implementation stages, saying closer collaboration would help resolve bottlenecks before they affect delivery.
“We need to strengthen cooperation with the government to improve the implementation of development-financed operations,” Fan said.
The World Bank delegation discussed areas where continued support could advance Uganda’s development priorities, including expanding electricity access, upgrading transport networks, improving urban infrastructure and strengthening public service delivery.
Fan reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to working closely with the government to strengthen implementation and improve development outcomes.
The discussions also underscored the need to align externally financed projects with Uganda’s national development agenda, including the country’s long term ambition of achieving ten fold economic growth and expanding productive investments.
Uganda’s partnership with the World Bank has financed some of the country’s largest infrastructure and social development programmes over the years, including road construction, electricity transmission, refugee support, water projects, education reforms and health sector investments.
Government has recently intensified efforts to improve project absorption and reduce implementation delays as it seeks to maximise the impact of concessional financing on economic growth and service delivery.
