WORLD BANK GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS VISIT UGANDA
An eleven-member delegation of the World Bank Group Executive Directors visited Uganda from April 23 – 26, 2019, to get a first-hand view of the Bank’s support to the country’s development priorities.
The World Bank Executive Directors visited to the 250 MW Bujagali hydroelectric power station, and their discussions at the dam focused on energy sector reforms and prospects to increase investments.
While in Jinja, they met the leadership of Jinja Municipality and local people benefitting from improved transport infrastructure supported under the Bank’s project on Uganda Support for Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID).
The Minister of Finance, Matia Kasaija during a dinner he hosted in honor of the visiting World Bank Executive Directors at Kampala Serena Hotel, applauded the World Bank for the excellent relationship and continuous support to Uganda in various areas such as infrastructure development including roads and energy projects, support to Refugees, health, agriculture, education and poverty reduction.
During consultations with Government, Private Sector and Civil Society Organizations, the Executive Directors expressed interest in knowing the concrete measures by Government to address social risks in infrastructure development projects to prevent child abuse and other forms of gender-based violence.
They also engaged in discussions regarding challenges to Uganda’s sustainable development and opportunities to boost economic growth as well as jobs and incomes for country’s young population.
Mr. Fernando Jimenez Latorre, Alternate Executive Director representing Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Spain and Venezuela and Spokesperson of the delegation said Uganda has enjoyed strong economic growth and made great progress in reducing poverty.
Fernando, however noted that more needs to be done to meet the demands of the youthful and rapidly growing population such as quality health care, education, and jobs. The Delegation of World Bank Executive Directors, included Anne Kabagambe, the Executive Director for 21 countries in Africa including Uganda.
World Bank Group has a strong partnership with Uganda with a cumulative investment of more than USD10 billion since 1963. The current investment portfolio cuts across all key sectors, and includes USD 2.8 billion from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IDA), an International Finance Corporation Portfolio of US$175.2 million including funds mobilized from its partners, and a Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency portfolio of USD 236 million.
