The World Bank has warned that delays in Uganda’s government approval processes are increasingly threatening the timely implementation of projects within its active portfolio, which is valued at approximately Shs18.2 trillion (US$4.6 billion).
Qimiao Fan, the World Bank Division Director for Uganda, Kenya, Somalia and Rwanda, said that approval delays had become one of the biggest risks to delivering projects on schedule. “Uganda has a strong and ambitious pipeline. However, approval processes are increasingly becoming one of the most significant risks to timely delivery,” Fan told officials.
Fan made the remarks during a meeting with the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, Ramathan Ggoobi, at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. The discussion focused on improving the implementation of World Bank‑financed projects and ensuring that development financing translates into tangible results.
According to figures presented during the Uganda‑World Bank Country Portfolio Performance Review, about US$1.48 billion (roughly Shs5.8 trillion) has already been disbursed from the portfolio.
Fan called for shorter delays between project preparation, government approvals, negotiations, procurement and implementation, and stressed the need for regular joint monitoring of projects as they move through the approval and implementation stages.
The World Bank director commended the Ministry of Finance for its role in addressing portfolio challenges and supporting the implementation of Bank‑financed projects. The meeting covered projects and programmes in areas including energy access, transport infrastructure, urban development and public service delivery.
Ggoobi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving project preparation and implementation, stating that projects should be delivered within approved budgets and timelines. “Our aim is not merely to review individual projects. It is to improve the effectiveness of development financing, accelerate implementation and absorption, and deliver tangible, sustainable results for Ugandans,” he said.
The Finance Ministry said that the government and development partners need to improve coordination to ensure available financing is effectively utilised and directed towards national development priorities.
The meeting comes as Uganda seeks to accelerate the implementation of projects under its broader economic transformation agenda, which includes priorities linked to infrastructure, energy, urban development and public services.
The World Bank said it would continue working with the government to address implementation bottlenecks and improve
Article source: allafrica.com | Image credit: allafrica.com