________________

The Minister for Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Judith Nabakooba, on Tuesday commissioned market sheds, a taxi park, Nkoma resource centre, and Nkoma Katalyebwa playground. 

The minister also commissioned Bisozi market and roads, all at the cost of shillings 24 billion.

All of these projects received funding from the World Bank through the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development-Additional Funding (USMID-AF) program, which is overseen by the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development.

Judith Nabakooba, the Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development and Frank Tumwebaze, the Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries sharing a light moment as they inspect some projects in Kamwenge district. Photo by Simon Peter Tumwine

While commissioning the projects, Nabakooba said the completed civil works projects stand as a testament “to our commitment to fostering social cohesion between our communities and the refugees we host as Kamwenge district.”

She noted that five years ago, the World Bank granted an additional financing phase on the original USMID program, to support the district and local governments.

She added that they have been generous enough to share their limited resources with “our brothers and sisters who come to us running away from turmoil in their countries.”

One of the administration blocks that have been launched in Kamwenge. Photo by Simon Peter Tumwine

“I want to thank the Kamwenge leadership both political and technical, for the good work done, over the short period you have had to undertake this project,” Nabakooba said.

One of the market sheds in Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement that has been commissioned. Photo by Simon Peter Tumwine

Nabakooba was accompanied by Frank Tumwebaze, the area Member of Parliament who also doubles as the Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.

Joseph Karungi, the district LC5, said the projects that have been commissioned are intended to bridge the gap between the refugees and the host community.