Govt launches project to improve livelihood in Arua, Koboko

The government has launched a five-year project funded by the European Union to improve infrastructure and livelihood in Arua and Koboko.

The €3.8 million funding through Cities Alliance seeks to provide better service delivery for the host communities and self-settled urban refugees in Arua City and Koboko Municipality.

The first phase provides for the improvement of schools, health facilities and markets in Koboko.

The six-month inception phase started on September 16, 2024, and will end on February 28, 2025, while the 36-month phase will start from March 2025 to 2028.

Arua City will get €1.6 million and Koboko Municipality will get €2.2million.

The Inception Phase funding for Koboko Municipality and Arua City will cost USD 387,760 approximately sh1.3 billion with a co-financing by ACAV worth USD 94,302 about sh339.4million.

Arua City has an estimated 23,958 self-settled refugees according to a survey conducted by VNG in 2023 with a host population of 382,000 based on the 2024 UBOS report.

The Minister of State for Information Technology and Communication ICT and National Guidance, Godfrey Kabbyanga, in a group photo with the pupils of Teremunga primary and leaders.

Koboko Municipality has about 24,936 self-settled refugees according to the VNG report 2023 representing 33.6% of the total population of 74,200 people based on the UBOS 2024 report.

At the launch on Wednesday, the minister of State for Information Technology and Communication and National Guidance, Godfrey Kabbyanga, said he is impressed with the first phase project in Koboko where schools, health facilities, set light markets and skilling were constructed.

Minister Kabbyanga pledged to support the schools in Koboko with computers to support ICT education in secondary schools through the National Information Technology Authority Uganda (NITA-U).

“Our struggle as government is to see every secondary school get computers and this support from the EU of building classrooms in schools has enhanced government efforts,” Minister Kabbyanga said.

During the event, the Minister commissioned an eight-classroom-storied structure constructed at Teremunga Primary School.

Patrick Bongo Namisi, the Project Director of ACAV said in the previous phase, Koboko Municipal Council with technical assistance from ACAV  implemented the Pilot Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework CRRF project for Inclusive Urban Development and Mobility Actions from 2020 to 2023 with direct funding from the EU worth 3.8 Euros approximately sh15.2billion.

Samuel Mabala, the In-Country Coordinator Cities Alliance overseeing Uganda, Sudan and DR Congo said the SUIDAC project was initiated with the challenges of cities hosting forcibly displaced persons to ensure they have access to infrastructure, livelihood and access to finance.

Wadri Sam Nyakua, the Mayor of Arua City said this is a trial to test the capability of Arua City and promised to ensure effective implementation of the projects with priority areas of education, health, livelihood and skilling aspects.

"The EU contribution is a big one and we will prioritize projects under education, health and livelihood. I am quite confident the staff in the City will execute the project and ensure success registered,” Wadri Said.

Dr Wilson Sanya, the Mayor Koboko Municipality said they have managed to build classroom blocks in 10 government schools from the previous EU funding and the additional funding will help improve more areas.