• Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Donate
  • Login
Watchdog Uganda
  • Home
  • News
    • National
    • Politics
    • World News
    • Media Outreach Newswire
    • Africa News
    • Tourism
    • Community News
    • Luganda
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Motorsport
  • Op-Ed
    • #Out2Lunch
    • Conversations with
    • Politics
    • Relationships
  • Business
    • Agriculture
    • CEOs & Entrepreneurs,
    • Companies
    • Finance
    • Products
    • RealEstate
    • Technology
  • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
  • People
    • Showbiz
      • Salon Mag
  • Special Report
    • Education
    • Voices
  • Reviews
    • Products
    • Events
    • Hotels
    • Restaurants
    • Places
  • WD-TV
  • Donate
  • China News
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • National
    • Politics
    • World News
    • Media Outreach Newswire
    • Africa News
    • Tourism
    • Community News
    • Luganda
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Motorsport
  • Op-Ed
    • #Out2Lunch
    • Conversations with
    • Politics
    • Relationships
  • Business
    • Agriculture
    • CEOs & Entrepreneurs,
    • Companies
    • Finance
    • Products
    • RealEstate
    • Technology
  • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
  • People
    • Showbiz
      • Salon Mag
  • Special Report
    • Education
    • Voices
  • Reviews
    • Products
    • Events
    • Hotels
    • Restaurants
    • Places
  • WD-TV
  • Donate
  • China News
No Result
View All Result
Watchdog Uganda
No Result
View All Result

European Union Delegation Visits Jinja City, As Local Leaders Eye Infrastructure Boost

Nelly Otto by Nelly Otto
9 months ago
in News
8 0
ShareTweetSendShare

The Head of the European Union in Uganda,  Mr. Jan Sadek says Uganda’s socio-economic growth and development is a priority for the European Union.

This was the strong message delivered by Jan Sadek during his historic visit to Jinja City on Tuesday.

Accompanied by over 10 EU ambassadors, Mr Sadek reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to Uganda’s growth, highlighting Jinja City’s strategic importance as East Africa’s industrial hub and tourism hotspot.

Jinja City boasts stunning natural scenery, with the River Nile and Lake Victoria, making it an ideal destination for adventure seekers and investors.

The city’s attractions include the Source of the Nile, Itanda Falls, and Kyabirwa Falls, offering opportunities for white water rafting, bungee jumping, kayaking and sport fishing.

It’s also in Jinja, where the now popular Nyege-Nyenge, a Music Festival, which the organizers say it’s to celebrate music, art, and culture but has always generated controversy among religious, cultural and political leaders is held annually.

This renewed partnership promises economic growth, improved infrastructure, and enhanced regional cooperation, cementing Jinja City’s status as a vital player in East Africa’s development.

The two-day working visit aimed to strengthen ties and explore opportunities for cooperation between the EU and Uganda.

In his welcome remarks, the Jinja RCC Richard Gulume Balyainho appealed to the EU ambassadors to extend funding for infrastructure development, particularly road networks in dire need of repair.

“…we have a total road network of 700kilometres in very sorry states, so if the EU can help us to renovate only 50 kilometres, the people of Jinja will live to remember this day forever…” he pleaded.

Gulume,an ardent NRM apologist, also grabbed the opportunity to assure the attentive ambassadors, some visiting Jinja for the first time of the calm political climate, offering valuable insights into Uganda’s national politics.

The EU delegation, comprising ambassadors from France, Germany, Sweden, Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, and Ireland, visited key sites in Jinja, including Kiira Motors Corporation, Kakira Sugar Factory and Owen Falls Dam.

These visits underscored the EU’s interest in Uganda’s industrial and energy sectors.

The EU leader also made a major announcement regarding the renovation of the 1954 Owen/Kiira-Nalubale Hydro Power Dam, a joint effort between the governments of France, Uganda and other partners.

The EU aims to mobilize funds through loans and grants to upgrade the facility.

He disclosed that EU/EIB and France will mobilize 140M Euros as loan and 30M Euros grants to support the intervention.

Richard Gulume Balyainho also appealed to the EU ambassadors to extend funding for infrastructure development, particularly road networks in dire need of repair.

Jinja City Mayor, Alton Peter Kasolo Okocha, echoed this sentiment, sharing insights from his experience in European countries like Sweden.

Kasolo, who subscribes to the opposition NUP, disclosed that Jinja City’s twinning program with Stockholm is progressing, with plans to upgrade Nalufenya Children’s Hospital to a National Children’s Hospital.

He says capacity-building exchanges between Swedish and Ugandan healthcare experts are already underway.

However, Kasolo expressed frustration with Uganda’s decentralization policy, citing discrepancies between policy and implementation.

The mayor urged the EU to channel support directly to local governments for greater impact.

The City Council Speaker Bernard Mbayo also issued another valid concern that the city’s roads, particularly those leading to factories of major investors like BIDCO and Madhavani Steel, are in dire need of renovation.

“…its ironic that these companies contribute billions of shillings to the National Treasury through taxes, yet the roads connecting to their factories are impassable…”the FDC politician lamented.

Mbayo told the close to one dozen ambassadors that the issue is not just about the condition of the roads but also about the lack of reinvestment in the city’s infrastructure.

“…with more than 100 factories/industries generating significant revenue for the government,one would expect a portion as low as 10% of those funds to be allocated towards the road maintenance…”he pointed out.

The visit will conclude on Thursday with a renewed commitment to cooperation between the EU and Uganda, focusing on strategic areas such as infrastructure, renewable energy, and healthcare.

Jinja City’s historic visit from over 10 European Union ambassadors marks a significant shift in EU’s approach to Uganda.

This unprecedented delegation underscores Jinja’s strategic importance as one of East Africa’s industrial hubs and tourism hotspots.

This renewed partnership promises economic growth, improved infrastructure, and enhanced regional cooperation, cementing Jinja City’s status as a vital player in East Africa’s development.

The European Union’s Delegation Cooperation with Uganda focuses on several key objectives.

The EU aims to foster sustainable development in Uganda, emphasizing the need for environmental conservation, restoration, and protection of natural resources and biodiversity.

This aligns with Uganda’s development mission to promote eco-friendly practices and preserve natural resources.

It also aims at promoting sustainable and inclusive growth, and jobs are another priority, focusing on productive sectors, sustainable energy, transport, and digital connectivity.

This supports Uganda’s vision of achieving economic stability and prosperity.

On democratic governance, EU’s role is to help in strengthening democracy, human rights, and social inclusion as core objectives, ensuring institutions are effective, accountable, and deliver basic social services.

Uganda’s development vision emphasizes good governance and human rights with entities like the Uganda Human Rights Commission, the Uganda Police and the Judiciary, among other state and non state actors like Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).

The EU’s cooperation objectives align with Uganda’s development mission and vision, focusing on sustainable development, economic growth, democratic governance, humanitarian support, and strategic partnerships.


Do you have a story in your community or an opinion to share with us: Email us at editorial@watchdoguganda.com
Share2Tweet1SendShare

Related Posts

News

Truth Revealed: Jinja City Council Clarifies On Shs4.2 Billion Return To Treasury 

10th July 2025 at 19:35
NUP leaders
News

NUP’s Pragmatic Pivot: Sending a Bipartisan Treasurer to IPOD

10th July 2025 at 19:29
News

New order growth spurs continued improvement in Ugandan business conditions in June

10th July 2025 at 19:22
Next Post
Mercy Timbitwire Bashisha

NRM Slams Media for False Claims: Woman Who Assaulted Officer Has No Ties With Party

  • Prostitution in Uganda- Courtesy Photo

    10 dangerous hotspots known for prostitutes in Kampala

    1125 shares
    Share 450 Tweet 281
  • Silent Billionaire Bosco Muwonge Buys Mukwano Arcade at UGX 250 Billion Cash Down

    49 shares
    Share 20 Tweet 12
  • Who is Bosco Muwonge, Uganda’s elusive real estate billionaire?

    36 shares
    Share 14 Tweet 9
  • LIST: New salary structure for civil servants starting July 2020 out; scientists, lecturers get juicy pay rise

    2289 shares
    Share 916 Tweet 572
  • Uganda’s Billionaires 2025: Once Again Sudhir Ruparelia Leads a Resilient Pack

    48 shares
    Share 19 Tweet 12
Facebook Twitter

Contact Information

Watchdog Uganda is a portal for solution journalism, trending news plus cutting edge commentaries in the fields of politics, security, business, tourism, entertainment, technology, agriculture, climate change, environment, public health et al. We also give preference to Ugandan community news and topical discussions. The portal also publishes community news and topical discussions.

Email: editorial@watchdoguganda.com
To Advertise:Click here

Latest News

Truth Revealed: Jinja City Council Clarifies On Shs4.2 Billion Return To Treasury 

10th July 2025 at 19:35
Mashable is a global, multi-platform media and entertainment company For more queries and news contact us on this Email: info@mashablepartners.com

Check out

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Minister Muruli Mukasa

LIST: New salary structure for civil servants starting July 2020 out; scientists, lecturers get juicy pay rise

24th May 2020 at 10:45
Pregnant woman

Shock as 17-year old boy impregnates his two sisters during Covid-19 lockdown 

17th June 2020 at 08:17
Sudhir Ruparelia is the undisputed king of Kampala

Billionaire Sudhir’s wisdom on how to invest in real estate

0

How a boy’s destiny turned from cotton grower to communications guru

0

Truth Revealed: Jinja City Council Clarifies On Shs4.2 Billion Return To Treasury 

10th July 2025 at 19:35
NUP leaders

NUP’s Pragmatic Pivot: Sending a Bipartisan Treasurer to IPOD

10th July 2025 at 19:29

© 2025 Watchdog Uganda

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • National
    • Politics
    • World News
    • Media Outreach Newswire
    • Africa News
    • Tourism
    • Community News
    • Luganda
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Motorsport
  • Op-Ed
    • #Out2Lunch
    • Conversations with
    • Politics
    • Relationships
  • Business
    • Agriculture
    • CEOs & Entrepreneurs,
    • Companies
    • Finance
    • Products
    • RealEstate
    • Technology
  • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
  • People
    • Showbiz
      • Salon Mag
  • Special Report
    • Education
    • Voices
  • Reviews
    • Products
    • Events
    • Hotels
    • Restaurants
    • Places
  • WD-TV
  • Donate
  • China News

© 2025 Watchdog Uganda