The Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Judith Nabakooba, commended the significant transformation Kasese has achieved under USMID. She described the upgraded infrastructure as a beacon of urban excellence.
“With great pride and appreciation, we welcome Your Excellency to Kasese for the commissioning of this major infrastructure. Your presence here today is a testament to the NRM’s commitment to urban transformation and sustainable development,” she said.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni officially commissioned a suite of newly completed road infrastructure projects worth Shs 53 billion in Kasese Municipality, constructed under the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) program.
Hon. Nabakooba noted that Kasese Municipality had quickly risen to become one of the top-performing urban centres under the USMID program, thanks to sound leadership and community engagement.
Beyond roads, she highlighted additional achievements: modern drainage systems, green spaces for climate resilience, a comprehensive solid waste management system including a garbage truck, and trained municipal staff. Infrastructure committees now serve as vital links between communities and government.
She pointed to dramatic increases in local revenue as a sign of economic growth:
“When we started working with Kasese, local revenue was at just Shs 399 million. Today, it stands at Shs 1.4 billion, with the potential to triple through digitized systems. This is a clear indicator that infrastructure investment leads directly to economic empowerment.”
Hon. Nabakooba also highlighted improved street lighting and enhanced security, which have supported the growth of a vibrant night economy.
“The Lincoln and Stanley roads, which we are standing on today, were once in a terrible state. Today, thanks to this upgrade, we’re seeing business activity even at night,” she said.
She further confirmed that over 70 kilometres of roads have been upgraded, modern council offices constructed, and traffic lights installed to improve urban mobility and service delivery.
Chance Kahindo, the Mayor of Kasese Municipality, expressed deep appreciation to the central government for the infrastructure investments, calling them a symbol of accountability and progress.
“It is my honour and privilege to welcome Your Excellency to Kasese for the commissioning of these transformative road projects. This investment is a reflection of the government’s trust in our municipality and our shared vision of a modern, well-planned town,” he said.
He noted that the Shs 53 billion allocated was effectively utilized, with Shs 49 billion going directly into road construction.
The mayor added that Kasese was recognized nationally for prudent financial management during the recent USMID performance assessments.
“Kasese was ranked among the best-performing municipalities in terms of saving public funds and applying them effectively. With such a clean record, I strongly advocate for Kasese to be prioritized for future government development support,” he said.
The commissioned roads include Rwenzori Road, Bus Circular Road, 3rd Street, Kitalikubi Road, Park Rise, Stanley Road, Margarita Road, Rukidi III-Port Circular, Crescent Road, Mandela Road, Total Road, Mboghoyabo, and Lincoln Road. These projects mark a major milestone in enhancing Kasese’s urban mobility, economic development, and climate resilience.