Summary:

• The government allocated nine vehicles to entities in the Kampala Metropolitan Area, aiming to strengthen decentralization and improve service delivery. Ministers emphasized collaboration for effective use of resources, while urging careful handling of the vehicles.

KAMPALA, (Examiner) – The government has contributed nine vehicles to nine different entities within the Kampala Metropolitan Area. The donation ceremony, held on Friday, May 17, was graced by figures including Kampala Capital City Affairs Minister Minsa Kabanda, Minister for Local Governments Raphael Magezi, and their respective permanent secretaries at the Office of the Prime Minister.

Minister Magezi underscored the significance of this initiative, elucidating that it aligns with the President’s overarching vision to uplift the development landscape of the metropolitan authority. “This project stems from the President’s vision, aiming for a cohesive physical planning structure and development network across the entire metropolitan area,” he said.

The provision of these vehicles is poised to bolster the operational efficiency and reach of the recipient entities in their service delivery endeavors. Minister Magezi emphasized the imperative of synergy between administrative heads and political leadership in realizing these objectives. “Collaboration between accounting officers and political leaders is paramount in achieving our shared goal of effective service provision,” he emphasized.

Minister Kabanda echoed these sentiments, urging responsible handling of the donated vehicles to forestall misuse. “Government vehicles are valuable assets that should be treated with utmost care. Let us refrain from diverting them to unauthorized uses,” she admonished.

Monica Edemachu Ejua, the Undersecretary of the Office of the President, Ministry of Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, shed light on the broader context of this initiative. She revealed that the government, in partnership with the African Development Bank and the World Bank, has devised a comprehensive five-year program worth USD 600 million. This program aims to tackle multifaceted challenges such as congestion, fragmented planning approaches, flooding, and the inefficiencies associated with commuting within the Kampala metropolitan areas.

The beneficiary entities encompass Mukono, Wakiso, Mpigi, KCCA, and their respective municipalities, including Entebbe, Makindye Ssabagabo, Nansana, Kira, and Mukono. This concerted effort signifies a pivotal step towards fortifying decentralization endeavors and enhancing public service delivery within the Kampala Metropolitan Area.

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