Kampala Capital City Authority launched a four-year, Collaborative Initiative Program on Integrated Local Finances for Sustainable Urban Development (PIFUD).
The Project is funded by the European Union and implemented by KCCA, Global fund for Cities Development and Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA) Municipalities.
The initiative aims at supporting the implementation of KCCA and GKMA’s existing strategies and programs on municipal finance, innovation and integrated urban development.
“It is also to foster linkages with line ministries and the overall urban policy in Uganda through urban policy dialogues, urban plans, economic development plans among others,” a statement from KCCA reads in part.
Speaking during the launch, the Lord Mayor, His Worship Erias Lukwago noted that this is the best practical program he has launched ever since he joined the institution in 2011.
“This Program is the heart that will pump blood in the whole body to enable us realize Kampala as a vibrant, attractive and sustainable City. The program builds on KCCA’s experiences and successes in the areas of own resource revenue mobilization, climate change responses and innovative approaches to Sustainable Urban Development (SDG 11),” he said.
The Program focuses on regulating reforms to allow sub nationals in the GKMA to access Capital markets to finance the much needed infrastructure, enhancing own source revenues through innovation and automation of local revenue management systems and innovation and smart solutions for low carbon energy adoption.
Lukwago emphasized that there is need to act on and abandon the activities and habits that increase levels of emissions.
“We are all affected and we can be part of the solution by changing our daily behaviours for resource use and waste disposal, our choice of transport mode, building practices, and water and energy consumption patterns,” he said.
He referred to the Kampala Climate Change campaign that was previously launched and its key elements to wit; adaptation, mitigation and opportunities from challenges by saving resources, material re-use/ recycling, improved energy efficiency, investing in the green economy and creating green jobs.