In a race against time, Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, has successfully averted a potential crisis that could have halted the reconstruction of city roads in Kampala. With his swift actions, Tayebwa has managed to salvage the funding from the African Development Bank (ADB) that was at risk of being suspended. This comes as a major relief to the citizens of Kampala who have been eagerly waiting for the completion of these much-needed roadworks.
The African Development Bank (ADB) is a major contributor to the development of infrastructure in Africa, and Uganda is no exception. However, in a letter dated December 17, 2023, ADB threatened to suspend the funding for the ongoing road reconstruction in Kampala. The reasons cited were the government’s failure to fulfill its obligations, including counterpart funding, compliance with environmental requirements, and compensation for project-affected persons.
This news sparked concern among the citizens, and Member of Parliament for Kibanda North County, Linos Ngompek, raised the matter in a recent parliamentary session. He highlighted the urgency of the situation and the potential consequences if the funding was suspended. Fortunately, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa was quick to take action and directed the house committee to intervene in the matter.
Tayebwa’s directive was met with prompt action, and the Committee on Physical Infrastructure summoned the Minister in charge of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and the KCCA leadership to provide updates on the progress made to address the issues raised by ADB. This was done within the deadline set by the bank, and the committee’s efforts were fruitful.
During the plenary sitting, Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development (General Duties), Henry Musasizi, confirmed that the government had released Shs20 billion as counterpart funding for the project. This was a result of a meeting chaired by Musasizi, which involved the KCCA ministers, the Executive Director, and ADB. This funding will go a long way in ensuring that the road reconstruction in Kampala continues without any hindrance.
Thanks to the swift actions of Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa and the efforts of the Committee on Physical Infrastructure, the funding for the ongoing road reconstruction in Kampala has been saved. This is a major win for the citizens of Kampala, who have been eagerly waiting for the completion of these roadworks. It is also a testament to the government’s commitment to improving the infrastructure in the country.
