Hon. John Mulimba Meets UNDP Resident Representative to Discuss Disaster Risk Management in Busia Municipality

Kampala, Uganda .October 2, 2023 today, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hon. John Mulimba, held a meeting with H.E. Ms. Nwanne Vwede-Obahor, the UNDP Resident Representative in Uganda, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Headquarters in Kampala. Ms. Vwede-Obahor informed the Minister that UNDP had secured funding for the Uganda project: “Strengthening Capacities for Disaster Risk Management and Resilience Building”, which will focus on Busia Municipality.

The project aims to enhance disaster risk management and resilience, particularly in Uganda’s vulnerable communities. Hon. Mulimba expressed his appreciation to UNDP for its continued support and emphasized the Ministry’s role in coordinating with local governments in Uganda and Kenya to ensure the project’s success. He stressed the importance of this initiative for Busia Municipality, which frequently faces outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and malaria. The project will address these critical health issues while fostering economic development by positioning Busia as a key trade and tourism hub along the Uganda-Kenya border.

Busia Municipality faces significant challenges, including environmental degradation due to poor waste management, inadequate drainage systems that contribute to frequent flooding, and a lack of effective land-use planning. The area also suffers from overcrowding and informal settlements, which lead to gaps in essential services like water and sanitation. The UNDP has previously supported the development of a Hazard, Risk, and Vulnerability Profile for Busia District, which will be instrumental in guiding the implementation of this new
project.  With the upcoming District Development Plans IV, the project will offer a timely opportunity to address urban resilience in a more systematic and integrated manner.

 The project’s key outcomes will include strengthening the capacity of marginalized and vulnerable groups to participate in and benefit from governance and development initiatives. Additionally, it will enhance the capacity of institutions and communities at both national and local levels to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change and disaster risks. Hon. Mulimba reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to working closely with UNDP and other stakeholders to ensure the project’s successful implementation. He noted that the project will have a far-reaching impact, improving the lives of the people in Busia Municipality and
contributing to broader regional development.