"How Museveni got the World Bank to unfreeze road funds"

Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni has intervened to unlock funding from the World Bank for the country’s road sector, after an 18-month freeze caused by the negative environmental and social impact of the projects. In a statement....the World Bank said that President Museveni had committed to continue a campaign aimed at reducing violence against women and girls. “President Yoweri Museveni confirmed to the Bank that the government of Uganda is committed to ensuring that social and environmental safeguards policies are adhered to in undertaking large infrastructure projects.  He also emphasised that the government is committed to continue with the national campaign for reducing violence against women and girls,” said the World Bank in a statement...

The Bank had frozen the funding because of concerns including allegations of sexual abuse of minors by contractors working on the Fort Portal — Kamwenge road. The World Bank, however, will not continue funding the project and the government has to look for other resources to complete it. “The Bank’s assessment found that the Uganda National Roads Authority had made progress in strengthening its capacity to manage its roads programme, in areas including contract supervision, and a more systematic approach to environmental and social safeguards management,” said the statement. [refers to Chinese Railway Seventh Group]