Former Energy Minister Richard Kaijuka has challenged the European Union delegation in Uganda on partnering with the private sector to work on Signature projects in the country.
Former Energy Minister Richard Kaijuka has challenged the European Union delegation in Uganda on partnering with the private sector on Infrastructural projects in the country.
Kaijuka, currently the Vice Chairman of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Committee was one of the panel discussants on the enablers for economic growth and jobs at the on-going Uganda-Europe Business Forum at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
“It’s a shame that given our historical links and connections with the European countries, there are no signature projects done by the European Union together with Uganda,” said Kaijuka.
Highlighting the new Jinja Bridge financed by the Japanese Government, Kaijuka provoked the European Union (EU), when he said that the 525-metre new bridge would have been Europe major landmark to boast about.
The new bridge was commissioned in 2019 replacing the Nalubaale Bridge constructed by the British in 1954.
Kaijuka says that there is a need for the EU to work with the private sector and government on major infrastructure projects in the county.
He added that Uganda’s limited resource envelope requires that they foray into the world of PPPs so that they match the high demand for infrastructure from the citizens.
He named several Private Public Partnership opportunities for the EU in Uganda citing the Kampala city street lighting and mass transit system that requires US Dollars 2.5 billion, expressway projects requiring US Dollars 4.6 billion, logistics hub in Gulu, Tororo, Kampala and Mbarara US Dollars 110 million, bulk water supply in the Albertine region US Dollars 487 million, high voltage transmission power lines US Dollars 4.8 billion, power distribution US Dollars 1 billion and others.
“This is not magical but Europe can help us. The solution lies with us and not with Cabinet. We are just waiting for people to invest,” Kaijuka said.
Jim Mugunga, the Director of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) Unit in the Ministry of Finance also highlighted the need for affordable housing as one of the biggest needs for the growing Ugandan population.
Mugunga adds that while Uganda’s limited resource presents the government with a financing gap, it offers the private sector an opportunity for collaboration under the Public-Private Partnerships highlighting other areas with a need for collaboration as the extractives and minerals sector and also collaboration to reduce the high transactional costs in projects.
Haas Astrid, the Policy Director International Growth Centre also highlighted the massive investment opportunity for the private sector in the country but cautioned that PPPs should not be seen as a cheaper way of providing infrastructure.
Story by Olive Nakatudde
