Adjumani, Uganda – May 14, 2025 — Adjumani District stands on the brink of losing vital development funding under the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development Additional Financing (USMID-AF) programme, following continued delays in the completion of a major road project in Adjumani Town Council.A reliable source within the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development has confirmed that if the ongoing 3.1 km road upgrade — covering Administration Road, Illa Road, and Market Lane — is not completed by the end of June 2025, the district may forfeit its eligibility for further funding under the World Bank-backed initiative.
The project, valued at over UGX 11 billion, has already missed three extended deadlines, raising concerns about project management and contractor performance.
The ministry source warned that “time is running out” and that even if the roads are completed before the new deadline, Adjumani is still likely to suffer funding cuts in future allocations due to its poor implementation record.“These delays reflect badly on the district’s capacity to manage major infrastructure projects,” the official said.
“It could jeopardize not just current works but future opportunities under USMID-AF.”The contractor, whose identity remains undisclosed, has come under scrutiny from both district leaders and the public over the sluggish pace of work and missed timelines. Despite repeated assurances, the roads remain incomplete, with several sections still under construction and others marred by poor drainage and unfinished walkways.
Local leaders have expressed frustration, with some calling for accountability and urgent intervention.
“This project was supposed to transform Adjumani Town and boost service delivery,” said a district councillor who asked not to be named. “Instead, we are at risk of losing everything because of continued delays.”The USMID-AF program, co-financed by the Government of Uganda and the World Bank, is aimed at enhancing urban infrastructure in select municipalities and refugee-hosting districts, including Adjumani.
It is viewed as a critical driver of development in areas under strain from refugee influx and rapid urban growth.The Ministry of Lands is expected to send a monitoring and evaluation team to the site later this month to assess progress before making a final decision on the district’s funding status.For now, all eyes are on the contractor — and the ticking clock.
