President Yoweri Museveni has said that the Government of Uganda is keen in developing the infrastructure in the country, especially electricity supply.
“We are interested in infrastructure development especially the expansion of electricity distribution. The Government has the policy of private sector led growth. We must have a low cost of doing business. Since we have got no railway service, it has led to high transport cost. We look forward to the Fund (CDC) enabling us to address these challenges,” he said.
The President made the remarks at State House, Entebbe when he received and held a meeting with a visiting Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC) Investment Works delegation, led by the Chief Executive, Mr. Nick O’Donohoe. The British High Commissioner to Uganda, Mr. Peter West, accompanied the delegation. CDC is the United Kingdom’s development finance institution that supports the building of businesses throughout Africa and South Asia.
President Museveni told his guests that the current goal is to promote transport, low cost finance and electricity distribution with emphasis on reducing the cost of electricity particularly for industries. He said that the Government of Uganda would like to work for the reduction of long term lending rates on loans of commercial banks from the current 20% to between 11% and 12%. He observed that high interest rates only benefit traders not farmers and industrialists.
Mr. Museveni also informed his visitors of the Government’s commitment to building the railway network and waterways. He urged CDC to look into lowering of telecommunications services’ costs in partnership with government, using reliable marine and underground cables that cost less compared to satellite services. He noted that the important aspect of the economy is ensuring low cost of finance, rail transport and cheap electricity. He emphasised that the cost of electricity must be low especially for the industries. He encouraged the CDC delegation to participate adding value to Uganda’s agro-products.
CDC’s Chief Executive, Mr. Nick O’Donohoe, revealed that his organization has earmarked US$3.5 billion to be invested in Sub-Sahara Africa in the next 3 years adding that they are already engaged in the production of tea, sugar, finance and infrastructure development. He also indicated that CDC is interested in the sectors of manufacturing, health, education and affordable housing.
He assured the President of the CDC’s readiness to provide long-term capital towards provision of affordable electricity.
On the Second of November Uganda & Kenya signed a bilateral agreement on SGR for a seamless system. Minister of Works and Transport, Hon. Eng. Monica Azuba Ntege signed on behalf of Government of Uganda and Cabinet Secretary for Transport Hon James Macharia, signed on behalf of Kenyan Government
The Ministry of Works and Transport has today Wednesday January 30, 2019 commenced registration of water vessels in Uganda. The exercise, which kicked off at Port Bell in Luzira, will also involve a census on 50 landing sites on Lake Victoria to get an up to date database of all vessels and boats operating on lake Victoria.
The Commissioner, Maritime Administration at the MoWT George Muhenda Rukara, , explained that although Uganda has over 1,800 landing sites, the government is starting with 50 landing sites but will roll out the programme as time goes.
Some of the first landing sites will be in Kampala, Wakiso, Mpigi, Jinja, Mayuge, Buikwe, Mukono, around L.Albert and L.George.
“Working with Central Corridor Transit Transport Agency (CCTTA), we have decided to start with those [50 landing sites] because they have a lot of people and many business activities, this will also help government to have data that will be used to develop the landing sites,” he said.
Rukara further explained that apart from the physical counting, public sensitization and giving out licences, there will be audits for water transport worthy especially for those transporting passengers.
“We are also working with the Ministry of Agriculture’s Fisheries department to see how licences and colour will be given to boats to enable identifying fishing boats from passenger boats,” he said.
Rukara said they are training over 100 enumerators who will be deployed at different landing sites. The ministry said the registration will be compulsory but the public will be first sensitized before enforcement is done.
Amos Kankunda, the secretary general at Uganda Shippers Council, said, the registration process will give an opportunity for government and CCTTA to revive the water transport on the central corridor.
The central corridor involves countries like Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda and DR Congo. Uganda trades with Uganda through Mutukula/Mwanza border to get their goods from Dar es salaam seaport.
“People have been relying of the Mombasa (northern corridor), but when the central corridor is developed Uganda can have alternative routes and the economic viability will be determined by Uganda’s ability to develop its water infrastructure,” he said.
1 comment
great.