President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has held high-level talks with a World Bank delegation, focusing on strategic investments in transport, energy and agriculture aimed at accelerating Uganda’s economic growth.
The meeting, held yesterday at State Lodge in Nakasero, brought together senior government officials and World Bank representatives led by Qimiao Fan. The delegation also included Francisca Ayodeji Akala and Tonderai Fadzai Mukonoweshuro.
On the Ugandan side, the meeting was attended by Finance Minister Matia Kasaija, Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka, Permanent Secretary Ramathan Ggoobi, and Acting Director for Debt and Cash Policy Maris Wanyera.
During the discussions, Museveni welcomed the World Bank’s decision to support the development of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), particularly in financing and structuring sustainable funding mechanisms.
“These are the funds I want. I want funds for capacity building and to give the basics for production at lower costs,” Museveni said.
The President emphasised that the railway remains critical to reducing transport costs and strengthening regional connectivity.
“That’s why we are saying the railway should be for heavy cargo, the pipeline for petroleum products. The railway and water transport for cargo whereas roads will remain for passengers and light cargo,” he added.
Museveni identified affordable electricity, access to low-cost financing and efficient transport systems as central to driving economic growth. He also welcomed the World Bank’s proposal to support agricultural industrialisation.
“I’m also happy with the proposal to support agricultural industrialisation and agro-processing,” he said.
He stressed the need for value addition in agriculture, noting gaps in Uganda’s training systems.
“The system here even in university was to train people even those doing Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and their job was to produce the raw materials but no value addition was taught,” he said.
Museveni commended the World Bank for its continued partnership and commitment to inclusive development.
In response, Fan praised Uganda’s economic stability efforts and reaffirmed the institution’s support for key infrastructure projects, including the SGR.
“I’m happy to say that I have the documents and the World Bank seriously pledges to support you financially,” he said.
He added that the World Bank would continue investing in energy and transport as pillars of sustainable development, while also backing agribusiness through training programmes aimed at enhancing skills and promoting value addition in the agriculture sector.
