Overview

World Bank Group (WBG) Engagement

The World Bank Group Country Partnership Framework (CPF) 2016-2021 supports the government’s vision of a society transformed from a peasant economy to a modern and prosperous country by 2040. The CPF was been prepared in close collaboration with the government, and is informed by consultations with civil society, private sector, academia, development partners, and the public. It recognizes the dynamic between rural and urban development where, in the short run, poverty reduction will come from rural areas. The focus in the medium-term will shift towards urbanization and the creation of jobs for a rapidly growing labor force.

The investment portfolio in Uganda is primarily financed from the International Development Association (IDA), which provides interest free “credits” and grants on concessional terms, attracting only an administrative service charge of 0.75% on the disbursed credit amount. Loan repayments are stretched over 38 years, including a six-year grace period.

As of February 2020, the Bank’s portfolio stood at $2.9 billion (IDA credits and grants) in net commitment for 17 national and seven regional operations. More than 70% of the investment is supporting infrastructure development, including in health, and education.

Last Updated: Mar 05, 2020

Energy for Rural Transformation III: The World Bank’s $355 million energy portfolio focuses on transmission and distribution. A 220KV transmission line from Kawanda-Masaka has been completed and will serve Masaka, Mbarara, Kasese, Fort Portal, Kabale and Bushenyi and surrounding areas. The line is expected to supply at least 50% of health centers not connected to national hydroelectricity or solar power. The 250 MW Bujagali Hydroelectric project remains a main source of power to the country and represents the first ever joint World Bank Group project, financed by an International Development Association (IDA) Partial Risk Guarantee for a syndicated commercial loan of $115 million; International Finance Corporation loans of $130 million, and a Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency guarantee of $115 million.

Uganda Support for Municipal Development Project (USMID): The 14 municipalities have been supported to develop modern infrastructure, including roads and street furniture; solid waste management; and the development of markets and urban transport facilities. Local government officials have also improved management and administration, including physical planning and urban development, own source revenue, and procurement and contract management.

Regional Communications Infrastructure Program: The cost of internet bandwidth is down from $300 to $70 per Mbps, which has promoted use of electronic platforms and communications greatly improving efficiency of day-to-day government operations through shared infrastructure for data storage and service delivery. ICT skills have been enhanced through training programs to facilitate job creation and trade.

Uganda Teacher and School Effectiveness Project: More than 17,000 primary education teachers have been trained in early grade reading and 12,198 schools have received 13 million math and English textbooks, improving the pupil-textbook ratio and improving learning outcomes. About 24% of pupils can read 20 or more words per minute compared to 1% in 2016. An e-inspection system is in place monitoring more than 1,000 schools. A draft Early Childhood Development Policy and supporting documents is in place while Early Childhood Education caregivers from 1,500 early childhood centers have been trained and are providing care to 82,620 pupils across the country.  A total of 929 classrooms have been constructed benefitting 55,200 pupils.

Uganda Multi-Sectoral Food Security and Nutrition Project: Demonstration gardens have been established in 1,000 government-aided primary schools to promote production and consumption of micronutrient-rich foods and utilization of community-based nutrition services. In these gardens, high iron beans, orange fleshed sweet potatoes and a variety of indigenous vegetables are grown. Another 2,000 demonstration gardens for lead farmers in the communities surrounding the beneficiary schools were established.

Health Systems Strengthening Project: As many as 230 health facilities countrywide have received medical equipment, and an e-recruitment job bureau at the Health Service Commission has been set up. Nine regional referral hospitals have been renovated across Uganda. Scholarships have been provided to 797 health workers, with most of the beneficiaries pursuing diplomas, and more than 400 already having completed their studies.

Last Updated: Mar 05, 2020

The International Finance Corporation (IFC)

As of February 2020, the IFC had commitments totaling to $174.6 million mainly in infrastructure, the financial market, agribusiness, education and energy. The IFC has worked closely with the Bank and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency on private power generation and distribution projects and continues to collaborate closely within the World Bank Group on renewable energy.

Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA)

MIGA’s portfolio has a combined gross exposure of $427.8 million, primarily focusing on guarantees covering investments in energy infrastructure, and banking. MIGA also supported Sithe Global (USA) with guarantees of $120 million covering its equity investment in Bujagali Energy Ltd.

Last Updated: Mar 05, 2020