Summary:

• Despite the controversy surrounding Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act, the French Embassy, led by Ambassador Xavier Sticker, asserts its continued commitment to funding various projects in the country. The French Development Agency is allocating Euros 800 million to projects in water, sanitation, energy, transport, urban development, and the private sector.

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The French Embassy affirms its commitment to funding various projects in Uganda, some of which are co-supported by the World Bank and the European Union, despite the discord surrounding the passing of the Anti-Homosexuality Act.

In an interview at his residence in Kampala on Tuesday, French Ambassador Xavier Sticker emphasized that France’s assistance to Ugandans in need of development aid remains steadfast, independent of the EU’s stance on Uganda’s anti-homosexuality legislation.

“The positions of France and the EU are well established. Our dedication to partnering with Ugandans remains unchanged, as we have not made any decisions regarding development assistance… We anticipate observing the course of the law and the subsequent decisions,” he remarked.

Mr. Sticker highlighted that the French Development Agency (AFD) is allocating Euros 800 million (approximately Shs3.2 trillion) towards 17 ongoing and new projects encompassing water and sanitation, energy, transport, urban development, and private sector promotion in Uganda.

These initiatives include the Kampala Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation Project, featuring the Katosi Water Treatment Plant (valued at 225 million euros or Shs928 billion), and the third phase of the Kampala Water and Sanitation Project (costing 45 million euros or Shs185 billion).

Furthermore, projects such as the South-West Water and Sanitation Project, involving water extension from River Kagera to Mbarara and Masaka cities (estimated at Euros 120 million or Shs495 billion), and the Isingiro Water and Sanitation Infrastructure Project targeting rural parts of Isingiro District and refugee settlements of Nakivale and Oruchinga are underway.

In the energy sector, France is financing projects including the construction of the Masaka-Mbarara transmission line (at a cost of 37.1 million euros or Shs152.4 billion) and rural electrification in Western Uganda (amounting to 51.2 million euros or Shs210 billion). Additionally, they will fund feasibility studies for mini-hydropower plants in West Nile (worth 1.5 million euros or Shs6 billion) and provide technical assistance for hydro power plant operations and River Nile power generation optimization.

Transport projects encompass the construction of the Kampala-Jinja Expressway (supported by a 90 million euros soft loan from AFD and a 90 million euro grant from the European Union) and the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Urban Development Programme (with an injection of 40 million euros). Moreover, they will support the Convention for Mayors for Sub-Saharan Africa and provide Technical Assistance for clean energy access and wetlands protection.

In collaboration with the Kampala Capital City Authority and the City of Strasbourg, France is fostering green spaces and urban agriculture at a cost of 1.5 million euros.