Parliament approves Government loan to fund MATIP 2

Wandegeya Market

Wandegeya Market constructed under MATIP Phase 1

Parliament has approved a loan, authorizing Government to borrow USD 84.2million from the African Development Bank to finance Phase 2 of the Market and Agriculture Trade Improvement Programme (MATIP 2). The programme aims at tackling market infrastructure development, value addition and trade facilitation. It will be implemented over a five year period in nine municipalities of Entebbe, Masaka, Mbarara, Arua, Moroto, Soroti, Tororo, Kasese, Busia; as well as in two town councils of Kitgum and Lugazi.

The Committee on National Economy, which considered the loan request, recommended having standard designs, quality work and evaluating the infrastructure. MATIP 2 is aimed at constructing 11 of the remaining 17 markets. The overall programme is expected to cost USD 93.7million, with a government contribution of USD 9.5million.

During the debate on Committee Report, legislators supported the loan request arguing that modern markets were a sign of development. Parliament Speaker, Rebecca Kadaga asked Government to be impartial in the implementation of the programme. “I need assurance from the Government that the rest of the regions without markets will also be considered,” the Speaker said.

The Minister of Local Government, Hon. Adolf Mwesige promised that the programme would be spread out to all parts of the country. “The first phase took four years, from 2010, to implement; we hope the second phase will be better, faster and more efficient with the purpose of stretching out to all regions of the country,” Hon. Mwesige said. He added that they would be able to iron out the defects in the completed markets and work around the recommendations of the Committee on National Economy for a successful Phase 2.

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