The Minister of Lands Ms. Judith Nabakooba has commissioned road works in Lugazi Municipality under the USMID program in an on -going government effort to modernize urban centers across the country .
The World bank funded -USMID program is premised on the need to uplift municipalities through improved urban infrastructure and institutional strengthening. Many cities and municipalities have benefited from the project which has led to increased economic activity and boosted people’s incomes.
Nabakooba was in the company of the Minister of State office of the Vice President, Diana Mutasingwa underscored the importance of a good road-network across the country- as a facilitator of economic growth and national development .
At least 2.5km road network is going to be uplifted in Lugazi after the contract worth Ug.Shs. 11.88bn was awarded to M/S. Sterling Civil Engineering Limited and to be completed in 12months. The much talked about -multi- billion US dollars USMID-AF Project which is empowering communities is led by Dr. Isaac Mutenyo.
The Minister said the NRM government continues to deliver on its promises which has led to the tarmacking of ike Kinyoro , Kulubya , Nabugabo close and Nabugabo roads and the three market streets .” President Museveni has done a good job because these roads weren’t like this before.”
Nabakooba called upon the Lugazi leadership to be focused when monitoring government development programs and tasked them to own the project to make sure it is completed on time and the contractor delivers quality works.
“Make yourself accountable for the development and put in place measures that will ensure that all public servants are accountable for their actions and omissions . Maintenance of these new roads is key. The project will end and we hand it over to you but you have to show willingness to maintain and repair what has been put under your care,” Nabakooba stressed .
The Minister noted that one of the challenges of urban development today is solid waste management and urged the municipal officials to work closely with her technical team, to successfully implement the solid waste strategies that have been developed by the Ministry of Lands ,Housing and Urban Development .
“What stalls service delivery most times is a lack of common purpose and belief . When you stand together and speak with a single voice a lot will be achieved .Working together as leaders without segregating in terms along political parties, race or religion lines is beneficial for all.”
Nabakooba thanked the Lugazi mayor for working with the government to ensure the people get the much needed public services.” This will bring unity among our people and they will know that elections ended and it’s now time to work for the betterment ofus all.”
She added: “I also want to commend the Town Clerk and his team for putting up such a great and committed supervision team. I am glad to inform you that in the last performance assessment carried out to inform funds allocation to Program Local Governments for FY 2021/22, Lugazi Municipality performed well by meeting the minimum conditions and scoring highly which led to allocation of UgX18.0 Billion.”
Mr Joseph Sebudde, the Town Clerk Lugazi Municipality thanked the government for the USMID project. He said the work is of good quality and they are monitoring it to ensure value for money.
“Alongside the roadworks, we have streetlights and 203 solar lights installed along the highway which have enhanced the security of Lugazi,”he said .
Lugazi Mayor JB Aseya said Lugazi has transformed from a town council to now a Municipality.He said the municipality is strategically located betweenKampala and Jinja which gives it economic interconnectivity to benefit the community.
Others present included Buikwe LCV Jimmy Kanaabi,the RDC Jenny Frances Kanaabi, Buikwe District Woman MP Daiana Mutasingwa and officials from the Lands Ministry.
Together with seven other municipalities of Mubende, Kasese, Ntungamo, Apac, Kitgum, and Busia, Lugazi are among the new beneficiaries under the USMID program.
