government 23 September 2026 Nile Post
Uganda and World Bank Mandate PIMS for All Project Approvals
Uganda and the World Bank have formalized a requirement for all development project proposals to undergo the Public Investment Management System (PIMS) before receiving approval or funding. This move aims to enhance project efficiency and alignment with national priorities. Source: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/372869/uganda-world-bank-agree-all-projects-must-go-through-pims-before-approval
In a significant move to streamline development financing, Uganda and the World Bank have agreed that all proposed projects must first navigate the Public Investment Management System (PIMS). This directive ensures that projects are thoroughly appraised and aligned with national priorities before being considered for approval or funding by either the Ugandan government or the World Bank.
The agreement was solidified during a high-level meeting between Uganda’s Minister of State for Finance, Henry Musasizi, and the World Bank’s Country Director for Uganda, Kenya, Somalia, and Rwanda, Qimiao Fan. This meeting took place at the Ministry of Finance in anticipation of the upcoming IMF and World Bank Group Annual Meetings.
Minister Musasizi emphasized that strict adherence to PIMS is crucial for ensuring that capital investments, such as the standard gauge railway, electricity generation, irrigation, and value addition initiatives, effectively support Uganda’s national development agenda. He highlighted that PIMS is expected to boost the efficiency and effectiveness of project execution, addressing the persistent challenge of poor fund absorption and ensuring that investments yield tangible impacts on the ground.
Qimiao Fan, on behalf of the World Bank, urged Uganda to expedite its project preparation and approval processes. She stressed the need to reduce the time lag between project initiation, negotiation, procurement, and final implementation to accelerate inclusive growth and job creation for the country’s youth.
Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, Ramathan Ggoobi, echoed the sentiment, calling for a balance between fiscal prudence and operational efficiency. He stressed that implementing agencies must ensure projects deliver sustainable and measurable results. The meeting also covered progress on key initiatives, including the US$500 million Development Policy Operation supporting the Tenfold Growth Strategy and ongoing infrastructure projects within the Greater Kampala area. Uganda’s current World Bank portfolio is valued at approximately US$4.62 billion, with US$1.48 billion already disbursed.
This new PIMS requirement is designed to bolster the effectiveness of Uganda’s development investments. The Nile Post