President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has launched roads constructed under the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) program in Mbale City, highlighting the government’s commitment to modernizing infrastructure.
Speaking at the event, President Museveni emphasized the need to diversify Uganda’s transport systems by focusing on railways, pipelines, air, and water transport. “The cargo and oil should not be on roads. Roads are for passengers and light cargo,” he said. “We are now developing the railway system and pipelines to reduce road traffic”.
He also called on leaders to mobilize citizens to join the money economy, citing its importance for wealth creation and poverty alleviation. “At independence, only 9% of homesteads were in the money economy. Now it’s 67%, but 33% are still outside. Leaders must empower all Ugandans to participate,” he urged.
The President noted the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) consistent focus on rural transformation, encouraging households to embrace commercial agriculture through programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM). “If the rural areas gain purchasing power, urban transformation will naturally follow,” he explained.
Minister of State for Urban Development Kania Obiga commended Mbale City for its successful implementation of USMID projects. He acknowledged challenges posed by rapid urbanization, including unemployment and service delivery gaps, and reiterated the government’s commitment to structured urban planning.
“Modern infrastructure like roads and drainage systems improves livability and productivity in urban areas,” he said, highlighting USMID’s success in 10 cities, 12 municipalities, and 11 refugee-hosting districts.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Dorcas Okalany, praised the President for elevating municipalities like Mbale to city status. She noted that USMID has improved infrastructure and service delivery in local governments, enabling them to maintain cleaner cities with better waste management systems.
Mbale City Mayor Kassim Namugali expressed gratitude for the transformative project but raised concerns over inadequate road equipment and limited utilization of the Shs1 billion road fund from the central government. “We have to borrow equipment from the regional office, which delays progress,” he said.
President Museveni reiterated his vision for wealth creation, urging citizens to leverage existing programs to improve their livelihoods. He assured Ugandans of continued infrastructure development to foster socio-economic transformation.
