In a momentous assembly, the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, Robbinah Nabbanja presided over the 3^rd Integrated Transport Infrastructure and Services (ITIS) Programme Review Workshop, drawing together a distinguished and diverse array of participants from various sectors. The gathering included Hon. Ministers, Members of Parliament, Development Partners, District Political Leaders, Civil Society Representatives, the Academic Community, the Private Sector, the Media, and Senior Government Officials.

Expressing delight at the diversity and influence of the attendees, the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister highlighted the workshop's significance as a testament to an unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability.

The Integrated Transport and Infrastructure Services (ITIS) Programme review workshop is spearheaded by the Ministry of Works and Transport and constitutes UNRA, UCAA, URC, URF, KCCA, UNACL, NBRB, EACAA, Engineers Registration Board, and UNABCEC.

In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Bageya Waiswa stated that the workshop’s theme, "Enhance the Stock and Optimize Multi-modal Transport Connectivity for Sustainable Socio-economic Development," encapsulates the vision of a seamless, safe, inclusive, and sustainable multi-modal transport system.

The Permanent Secretary also remarked about the ITIS Programme pivotal role in advancing socio-economic development through enhanced transport connectivity. The workshop participants engaged in a thorough assessment of the programme's journey, marked by both opportunities and challenges.

Aligned with national policies, the workshop adheres to the National Policy on Public Sector Monitoring and Evaluation and the Monitoring and Evaluation Guidelines for the National Development Plan III. The agenda included presentations on the progress of the ITIS Programme, the Annual Programme Performance Report for FY 2022/23, and the programme's performance assessed by the Budget Monitoring and Accountability Unit of the Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development.

In his address, the Minister of State for Works, Hon. Musa Echweru outlined the objectives of the review workshop which included, appraising stakeholders on the implementation progress of the action points arrived at during the 2nd ITIS-Programme Review Workshop, review of the performance of the ITIS Programme for the previous FY 2022/23 and arriving at decisions on future priority actions. The workshop is also meant to identify constraints, challenges, and solutions to programme performance.

The Minister further detailed significant milestones in legislation, policies, and strategies under the ITIS Programme, emphasizing the commitment to shaping a reliable and safe transport infrastructure for socio-economic transformation.

Acknowledging challenges faced during the period under review, such as road safety concerns, climate change impacts, low funding for road maintenance, and delayed project commencements, the Minister urged collaboration, innovation, and determination for optimizing multi-modal transport connectivity.

The workshop concluded with a commitment to the goals outlined in the National Development Plan III, ensuring continued progress in various projects essential for the country's development.

A Japanese Delegation from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport &Tourism (MLIT) and the Japan-Africa Infrastructure Development Association (JAIDA) has had a meeting with Infrastructure related MDAs and the Private sector in preparation for a high quality infrastructure technical officials meeting to be held on 5th December here in Kampala.

At this meeting, Ugandan companies and MDAs in infrastructure will get the opportunity to collaborate with Japanese companies for the exchange of skills and knowledge for improved infrastructure quality.

The Japanese Delegation earlier paid a Courtesy Call on the Hon. Minister of Works and Transport and briefed him of their interest in furthering cooperation with Uganda in regard to the development of infrastructure. The Hon. Minister informed them of the vast opportunities available in Uganda for cooperation with the Japanese Government and Private Sector Companies.

{gallery}Japan-Uganda High Quality Infrastructure Technical Officials Meeting{/gallery}

The Ministry in conjunction with Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) on Tuesday 3^rd October, held a high-level meeting with a delegation from Malawi’s Aviation Authority to negotiate the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Uganda and the Republic of Malawi.

The Draft BASA has been initialed by the Heads of Delegation from both States & consequently, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Air Transport Services between the two States has been signed.

The Uganda Delegation was headed by the Director of Transport, Benon Kajuna, and the Malawi Delegation was led by Ms Madabo Nyambose, the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Public Works.

The Head of Public Service and Chief Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Organizer, Lucy Nakyobe inspected the Chinese-donated Saic Motors fleet, Indian-donated buses and the BMW Protocol Fleet ahead of the NAM Summit.

She was guided on the inspection by the Permanent Secretary, Bageya Waiswa, The Engineer in Chief Samson Bagonza, the Chief Mechanical Engineer Tony Kavuma and other technical officers.

Uganda will host the 19^th Summit of the Non-Alligned Movement under the theme, “ Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence”.

During the summit to be held at Speke Resort Munyoyo in Kampala in January 2024, H.E the President of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni will take over as the Chairman of the organization from President Azerbaijan Aliyev of the Republic of Belarus until 2026.

Uganda will also host the High Level International Summit of the Group of 77 Plus (China G77+China) in the same year.

{gallery}NAM summit{/gallery}

Section 29 of the Traffic and Road Safety Act, 1998, Cap 361 As Amended Provides That a person shall not repair motor vehicles, trailers, or engineering plants unless he/she is in possession of a licence issued by the Chief Licensing Officer.

The Traffic and Road Safety (Licensing of Manufacturers and Garages) Regulations, 2023 Gazetted on 31^st March 2023 provide for licensing of garages (vehicle repair facilities of any kind whether commercial or non-commercial) and accreditation of mechanics to ensure quality of service provision while repairing vehicles.

Accordingly, the public is informed that no person shall be permitted to operate a Garage without a licence issued by the Chief Licensing Officer.

The Ministry of Works and Transport therefore calls upon all garage owners/operators to register with the Ministry Not Later than 30^th October 2023 so as to create a Database of Garages and Mechanics in the country to facilitate their subsequent accreditation and Licensing beginning 1^st November 2023.

Registration forms can be accessed from the Ministry Website (www.works.go.ug/resources/publications) Or can be physically picked from the Ministry Head Office in Kampala (at former Transport Licensing Board offices) Or at any of the Regional PSV Licensing offices in Mbarara, Fort-Portal, and Mbale.

Completed Registration Forms may be either delivered to the same Ministry offices above or e-mailed to this Address: garages@works.go.ug

For any Inquiries, you may call the following Telephone number during office hours.

Telephone: 0772 517164 (Principal Vehicle Inspector)

Download the Garages and Mechanics Registration form

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has inaugurated Uganda's inaugural railway concrete sleeper factory, situated in Kawolo, Lugazi, Buikwe. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the nation's quest for economic integration, independence, and self-sufficiency, a vision that President Museveni has long advocated for.

The President commended Imathia Construction, led by its Chairman, Mr. Julian Garcia Velverde, for their pivotal role in realizing this vision. He emphasized the importance of building an economy that is self-reliant, emphasizing that this endeavor was crucial to addressing the ongoing challenges faced by many African nations.

President Museveni highlighted the significance of the railway system for Uganda's development and noted the importance of manufacturing key components locally. He expressed gratitude to Imathia for their contribution and revealed that the government was in the final stages of establishing Uganda's steel industry. This initiative would enable the domestic production of rails, a critical component in railway construction.

Furthermore, the President underlined the need for rails, particularly for the Standard Gauge Railway, and shared plans for developing the country's steel industry in Kabale. This endeavor aimed to provide the required high-quality steel not only for Uganda but also for other East African regions.

Mr. Julian Garcia Velverde, Chairman of Imathia Construction, extended his appreciation to President Museveni, the Ministry of Works and Transport, and the Board and Management of Uganda Railways Corporation for their support and hospitality. He highlighted that the railway concrete sleeper factory employed a predominantly local workforce and expressed confidence that it would eventually become entirely Ugandan-operated.

Mr. Garcia also advocated for the use of concrete sleepers in Uganda's railway infrastructure, citing their advantages in safety, comfort, speed, and reduced maintenance costs compared to steel sleepers. He mentioned that Imathia was already engaged in renovating the Kampala-Mukono railway line and assured the President of their commitment to completing the project on schedule.

Moreover, Mr. Garcia emphasized the factory's capability to supply sleepers for all railway rehabilitation projects across the country. The factory, staffed by over 90 percent Ugandans, boasts a daily production capacity of 208-meter gauge concrete sleepers for the refurbishment of the Kampala-Namanve-Mukono railway line.

{gallery}President Museveni Commissions Concrete Railways Sleepers Factory{/gallery}