Arua, Terego, Madi Okollo agree on sharing Shs11b donation
An aerial view of Arua Town with improved roads and housing facilities. PHOTO/FILE/COURTESY.
What you need to know:
- The leaders signed a memorandum of understanding in Gulu City.
Leaders in Arua, Terego and Madi Okollo districts have agreed on how to share Shs11b allocated to them under Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development-Additional Funding (USMID-AF) programme.
The leaders signed a memorandum of understanding in Gulu City witnessed by Ms Beti Kamya, the minister of Lands and Mr Mario Kania Obiga, the State minister for Internal Affairs on Wednesday.
It was agreed Terego takes 45 per cent of the money, Madi Okollo (35 per cent) and Arua (20 per cent).
Since last year, leaders in Terego and Madi Okollo were involved in a dispute with Arua over sharing of the funds initially allocated to the latter by Ministry of Lands.
Trouble started when authorities from Terego and Madi Okollo contested utilisation of the funds by Arua, saying it is no longer hosting refugees.
During the USMID-AF preparation, both districts were part of Arua, which was a beneficiary of the refugee host window. However, government carved Madi Okollo and Terego out of Arua in 2019 and 2020, respectively.
Ms Kamya said implementation of the USMID-AF programme in the districts is expected to contribute towards reducing tensions and conflict triggers by strengthening the interaction and peaceful coexistence among host population and refugees.
Mr Kania said the interventions are part of a medium term strategy to provide social services to refugees and host communities.
Mr Joseph Walter Pade, the commissioner for urban development in the Ministry of Lands, said the two districts are expected to cooperate with Arua to ensure that the purpose of the grants is achieved within the stipulated period of project implementation.
The USMID-AF is a five-year initiative funded by the World Bank and the governleaders’ reaction.
Mr Donath Eswilu, the Arua chief administrative officer, said they will streamline their operations with the Ministry of Finance to ensure timely disbursement of funds to the two districts.
Mr Ben Aligoa, the Terego chairperson, said they intend to construct new markets, roads and establish football pitch using part of the funds. “We have resolved our differences. It is useless for us to keep on fighting one another when all of us are undergoing challenges,” Mr Aligoa said.ment of Uganda. It runs between 2019-2024.
The USMID-AF program in refugee-hosting districts is being implemented by the respective local government under the overall supervision and coordination of the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development.
Leaders’ reaction
Mr Donath Eswilu, the Arua chief administrative officer, said they will streamline their operations with the Ministry of Finance to ensure timely disbursement of funds to the two districts.
Mr Ben Aligoa, the Terego chairperson, said they intend to construct new markets, roads and establish football pitch using part of the funds. “We have resolved our differences. It is useless for us to keep on fighting one another when all of us are undergoing challenges,” Mr Aligoa said.
