PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL ECONOMY, KCCA DISCUSS FUNDING FOR GKMA

Members of the Parliamentary Committee on National Economy, led by Chairperson Hon. Ikojo John Bosco, held a meeting with the leadership of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to deliberate on funding for the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA) development. The meeting took place at the Mayor's Parlor on Wednesday and involved discussions with both technical and political staff of KCCA. The primary focus of the discussion was the proposed loan for the development of the GKMA, totaling to $608.66 million. This comprises of $566 million from the World Bank and $42.66 million from the French Development Agency.

The proposed funding aims to facilitate the upgrading of strategic interconnecting roads, junctions, drainage channels, markets, and workspaces. These improvements are intended to enhance productivity and livability in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area, ultimately fostering sustainable socio-economic development.

During the meeting, Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Hajat Minsa Kabanda, commended the team for their timely attention to the GKMA development, emphasizing the urgent need for funding.

Expressing enthusiasm for the program, Kampala City Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago remarked, "We are excited about this program, and it has given us a glimmer of hope that we shall be able to secure a substantial amount to fund our development agenda."

Lukwago also highlighted the pressing need to address the challenges facing the city's development, particularly in relation to city floods. He stressed the importance of utilizing the funding to address multiple flood-prone channels, such as Lubigi and Nalukolongo.

KCCA Executive Director, Dorothy Kisaka, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to discuss this vital matter, emphasizing the visible impact of the much needed development in the city, particularly in infrastructure. Kisaka highlighted the goal of transforming Kampala into a Smart City and emphasized the loan's significance in improving interconnectivity with neighboring areas, such as Mukono, Mpigi, and Wakiso.

Kisaka assured the team that KCCA is fully prepared for project implementation and called upon other stakeholders to support this endeavor.

In his concluding remarks, Committee Chairperson Ikojo emphasized the collective responsibility and passion for the development of Kampala. He urged all involved parties to set aside politics and corruption and focus on utilizing the funding effectively for the betterment of the City. Ikojo emphasized the importance of timely implementation of projects, noting that design processes often cause delays in project execution.

The committee's efforts to secure funding for the GKMA development reflect a commitment to addressing the infrastructure needs of the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area.