World Bank resumes lending to Uganda

In Summary

May 24—The World Bank Group has resumed lending to Uganda after a lapse of nearly nine […]

May 24—The World Bank Group has resumed lending to Uganda after a lapse of nearly nine months during which several major road projects suffered delays after the taps were turned off on August 22, 2016.

Apart from release of money for on-going projects, the World Bank announcement came with a total $240 million in new funding destined for education, health, civil society and prevention of violence against women and girls.

In a statement, Uganda’s top multilateral donor said ‘The World Bank recognizes the progress made by the Government of Uganda in addressing the issues that were impacting the overall performance of the Bank-supported portfolio, including project implementation and proactive safeguards compliance.

‘We are continuing to work closely with the Government of Uganda to ensure that these efforts are sustained, and have communicated to the Ugandan authorities the resumption of our International Development Association (IDA) lending program.’

Last year, the Bank listed delays in project effectiveness, weaknesses in safeguards monitoring and enforcement together with low disbursement as reasons behind the suspension. Things were also complicated by widespread reports that workers on a road project in western Uganda were sexually exploiting young girls before the government intervened and other sanctions imposed on the culprits.

Meanwhile, The World Bank Group and the government will hold an Open Day for the general public on May 30, 2017. The Partnering for Development event will take place at Kololo Independence Grounds (airstrip).

Christina Malmberg Calvo, the World Bank Country Manager in Uganda said, “The Open Day will be an opportunity to learn more about our work in the country and discuss how our support can have a positive impact on the lives of Ugandans. We look forward to welcoming the general public in large numbers.”

 

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