Economic growth support programme expands to 55 districts

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The Government has pledged to significantly increase the reach of the Local Economic Growth Support (LEGS) programme from 17 to 55 districts to combat poverty and uplift livelihoods. 

The ambitious expansion, dubbed LEGS II, aims to directly transform the lives of 16 million Ugandans through a comprehensive package of interventions.

The expanded programme, which builds on the demonstrable successes of the initial LEGS project, is expected to prioritise districts, many of which are in northern Uganda.

Beneficiary communities will receive support,  including access to clean water, agro-processing facilities, improved road networks, and in-calf heifers, according to the local government ministry.

LEGS II, a $150 million (approximately shillings 545 billion) initiative, is being spearheaded with support from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Livelihood Fund and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief) from Saudi Arabia.

"The project has constructed markets, roads, processing units, and ensured financing for people to invest in income-generating activities. That's what has prompted us to propose a second phase," Dr David Siriri, the technical backstopping consultant for the project at the ministry, said. 

"We are moving from 17 districts to 55."

Siriri made these remarks on June 2, 2025, following a meeting in Kampala between officials from the ministry and representatives from the Islamic Development Bank and the King Salman Foundation.

The five-year LEGS II project will focus on critical areas such as climate change resilience, youth and women's empowerment, disability inclusion, and vital irrigation support for smallholder farmers.

While the first phase primarily targeted northern Uganda, the expanded version will now directly impact more than 16 million Ugandans and indirectly benefit an estimated 20 million across the country.

Funding for LEGS II will be a blend of grants and interest-free loans, with a significant portion coming from grants, underscoring the commitment of the development partners.

The Ministry of Local Government is collaborating with donors to finalize the financing terms and the comprehensive implementation framework.

Recently, local government minister Raphael Magyezi hosted a high-level delegation from the Islamic Development Bank Group, represented by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, to discuss the program's progress and future.

The delegation also met with Uganda’s Minister of Finance, Matia Kasaija, at the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development to further solidify collaboration on the LEGS Project.

"The meeting acknowledged that Phase I of the LEGS Project has delivered tangible and transformative results, including the construction of roads, water supply schemes, markets, and value chain facilities that have revitalized local economies and improved livelihoods across beneficiary districts," a statement from the ministry on Friday, June 13, 2025, said.

The ministry highlighted remarkable improvements in areas like Tisai Island in Kumi district, where communities once isolated from essential services and economic opportunities now enjoy improved access to markets and public services, a direct result of the initial LEGS intervention.