MUKONO, UGANDA — The Minister of State for Economic Monitoring in the Office of the President, Hon. Alum Santa Sandra Ogwang, has issued a stern warning to local leaders and contractors in Mukono District and Mukono Municipal Council over systemic delays and funding absorption challenges plaguing the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Urban Development Programme (GKMA-UDP).
Speaking during a high-level monitoring visit on October 1, 2026, Minister Alum Ogwang revealed that while the government's five-year, USD 600 million (approx. Shs 2.2 trillion) initiative—funded by the World Bank and the French Development Agency (AFD)—is making headway, critical operational bottlenecks are threatening its success.
The GKMA-UDP, launched in the 2023/24 financial year and implemented through the Ministry of Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, is built on four foundational pillars: Mobility and Accessibility, Resilience and Environment, Job Creation, and Institutional Strengthening.
Citing the Programme Performance Report for the 2025/26 financial year prepared by MKCC&MA, the Minister noted that while the District and the Council are making "good progress" on road construction under Phases 1 and 2, and Lots 2 and 3 respectively, actual figures are lagging behind planned targets.
Specifically, the Ntenjeru-Buule road is currently at 29.61% completion, falling short of the planned 31.78%—a delay of 2.17 percentage points. In Mukono Municipal Council, Lot 2 (Wantoni-Ntaawo-Bugujju) sits at 78.16% against a planned 86.7%. Lot 3 (Nasuti-Nakabago-Ntaawo, Bajjo-Seeta, and links) has achieved 74.67% against a target of 83.95%.
"These issues appear to be systemic across several of the implementing entities visited to date," Ogwang stated, pointing primarily to the failure to secure the full right of way and widespread schedule delays. "As Minister of State for Economic Monitoring, my mandate is to ensure that Government policies, programmes, and projects are implemented efficiently and accountably."
To establish the cumulative progress made since the end of the 2025/26 financial year, the Minister outlined eight critical questions that the Council and contractors must address. Key among them are the current cumulative fund absorption rate, the exact status of the project right of way, and what "remedial or catch-up plans" have been developed to address the previous delays.
The Minister also demanded answers regarding environmental and social mitigation measures, the cumulative number of people employed by the project in the municipality, and other socio-economic impacts.
"I also request the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and the Town Clerk to provide my technical team with written reports addressing them for further review and analysis," Ogwang directed.
Despite the delays, local leaders and project beneficiaries remain optimistic. Handwritten notes appended to the Minister's remarks highlighted the tangible benefits already being felt on the ground.
"The funds are utilized well... transparent communication working and service delivery is very well," read one note from the local leadership. "It has boosted development and infrastructure, and added to beautifying the municipality."
The community also noted that the project has transformed lives through job creation, though local leaders emphasized the need for continued "teamwork" to ensure the core objectives of service delivery are met.
Minister Alum Ogwang affirmed that her office will continue to track fund disbursements and adherence to work schedules.
"We will continue to follow up on the recommendations arising from this exercise... to ensure that the objectives of the GKMA-UDP—particularly job creation, improved mobility, and environmental sustainability—are fully realised for the benefit of all Ugandans," she concluded.
The monitoring exercise in Mukono is part of a broader government oversight strategy under the National Development Plan (NDP IV) aimed at curbing financial leakages and ensuring that massive infrastructural investments deliver value for money.
