President Yoweri Museveni has praised the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) program, crediting it with transforming Uganda’s urban landscape and laying the groundwork for long-term economic growth.
Speaking through Gen Edward Katumba Wamala, the Minister of Works and Transport, at the inaugural National Urban Development Conference held at Speke Resort Munyonyo, Museveni highlighted the pivotal role of infrastructure in reducing the cost of doing business and attracting investment.
“Government is aiming at achieving low costs of transport, low costs of electricity, and low interest rates so that the private sector can make profits,” Museveni noted. “The more profits they make, the more attractive the country becomes as an investment destination.”
The president emphasized that infrastructure developments under USMID especially newly tarmacked roads have not only enhanced urban mobility but also made previously inaccessible markets within reach for rural producers. He described these developments as “pull factors for investment,” playing a critical role in Uganda’s industrialization and socio-economic transformation.
Museveni encouraged local leaders to rally communities to make the most of the improved infrastructure, urging citizens to channel their energy into productive ventures that create wealth and jobs. “A road belongs to the community,” he said, “but an individual can utilize the road to transport their crops from the farm to the market.”
He underscored the importance of the four pillars of economic development: commercial agriculture, industrialization, services, and ICT. According to the president, urban centers serve as engines of prosperity due to their high consumption rates and spending power—now accessible to rural producers thanks to a well-connected road network.
With tarmac stretching across the nation, Museveni believes Uganda has a solid foundation for inclusive development. “Our people must be mobilized to produce and supply their products to urban areas,” he said, adding that access to urban markets has pulled many Ugandans out of subsistence farming.
The president extended gratitude to the World Bank for its unwavering support of the USMID program, as well as to local leaders who championed the initiative in their municipalities. “Development does not occur by accident,” he reminded the audience. “It is achieved through proper planning, identifying priorities, and ensuring effective implementation.”
The two-day National Urban Development Conference, themed “Accelerating Urban Development Through Infrastructure: The USMID Experience”, drew a wide range of participants including mayors, Members of Parliament, district leaders from refugee-hosting areas, development partners, and representatives from various government agencies.
The conference served as a platform to share insights, celebrate milestones, and strategize for a future where Uganda’s urban areas lead the charge in national development.
