By: Ismael Kasooha
KAMPALA
The Government of Uganda and the Government of Italy have signed the Letter of Intent under the Green Cities Initiative worth 150m Euros.
This cooperation reflects the shared commitment of the two sister governments to building cleaner, healthier, and more resilient urban environments for current and future generations.
“Today marks an important milestone in the partnership between Uganda and Italy and we extend our deep appreciation to the Government of Italy and the Italian Ambassador to Uganda for their unwavering support and collaboration,” said Robinah Nabbanja, the Prime Minister of Uganda who presided over the agreement signing ceremony.
The Prime Minister of Uganda Robinah Nabbanja chairing the meeting before the signing of the letter of Intent at OPM in Kampala
Nabbanja noted that Italy’s engagement under the Mattei Plan for Africa has demonstrated strong commitment to supporting African countries in climate resilience, renewable energy, sustainable cities, and the circular bio‑economy.
“We also thank the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for effectively utilizing the project preparatory grant and for conducting extensive assessments in Kampala and Hoima. These efforts identified two strategic priority areas: sustainable waste management and the upgrading of urban food markets. These areas represent the most urgent needs facing our rapidly growing urban centers,” Nabbanja said.
According to H.E Mauro Massoni the Italian Ambassador to Uganda, the Mattei Plan for Africa is an Italian government initiative led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to establish a new framework for cooperation with African countries, focusing on sustainable development, energy, agriculture, and education.
“The plan aims to create equitable partnerships, attract investment, and foster stability, moving beyond traditional aid models towards joint projects,” said Massoni.
The initial funding for all African countries is €5.5 billion, and the plan involves collaboration with African nations, the African Development Bank, and other international partners like the EU’s Global Gateway.
Statistics indicate that Uganda’s cities continue to face mounting waste management challenges with Kampala alone producing an estimated 2,500 tons of waste daily, more than 70% of which is organic.
Across all urban areas, the country generates over 8,000 tons of waste daily, yet only 40–50% is collected.
These pressures strain drainage systems, create environmental hazards, and increase the cost of urban living. Through this partnership, we are taking decisive steps to reverse this trend.
The selection of Kampala and Hoima as pilot cities offers Uganda a unique opportunity to demonstrate scalable models for green, inclusive, and climate‑resilient urban development.
Kampala brings scale and complexity, while Hoima, an emerging metropolitan hub shaped by oil‑driven growth, offers the chance to design a model sustainable city from the outset.
“The Letter of Intent we sign today sets the foundation for detailed Green City Action Plans, which will guide the development of bankable projects expected to attract investments in the range of 100 to 150 million Euros,” said Nabbanja.
She added that Uganda encourages an increased share of grant financing to ensure that these transformative interventions do not impose additional fiscal pressure on the national budget.
“On behalf of the Government of Uganda, we reaffirm our commitment to work closely with Italy and FAO in turning urban waste into resources, modernizing food markets, and constructing sustainable urban systems that uplift livelihoods, promote environmental stewardship, and strengthen our bilateral relations,” noted Nabbanja.
Nabbanja observed that the signing represented not just a document, but a shared vision, one that moves Uganda’s cities toward cleaner streets, waste segregation from the source, safer markets, greener spaces, and stronger communities.
“We thank all stakeholders, Ministries, Agencies, Local Governments, and technical teams for their continued cooperation and dedication. The Government of Uganda looks forward to the next stages of collaboration under the Green Cities Initiative,” said Nabbanja.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Ben Kumumanya signed on behalf of the Government of Uganda while Italy was represented by H.E Mauro Massoni, the Ambassador.
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