The Public Investment Management Plus (PIM PLUS) Secretariat under the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has reaffirmed its commitment to working with the National Planning Authority (NPA) to improve public investment management in Uganda.

The commitment was made during a courtesy visit by the PIM PLUS Secretariat to NPA on Friday, as the two institutions continued their collaboration aimed at ensuring the smooth implementation of the PIM PLUS operation.

The PIM PLUS operation is a $200 million World Bank-funded project and a flagship reform under Uganda’s Public Finance Management (PFM) strategy.

The Ministry of Finance delegation was led by Acting Assistant Commissioner in the Project Analysis and Public Investments Department, Esther Ayebare.

Ayebare commended NPA for its efforts towards improving the quality of planning and public investment management in the country.

“We are here to ensure that the PIM PLUS operation delivers on its core objectives. Our call to you as the National Planning Authority is that you focus on high-impact projects,” Ayebare said.

She said prioritising high-impact projects would help deliver greater value for money while contributing to improved infrastructure and public services.

Ayebare also reminded the NPA team to adhere to Development Committee requirements and ensure that the cost of feasibility studies remains affordable to support the achievement of the PIM PLUS operation’s objectives.

NPA Executive Director Dr Joseph Muvawala welcomed the continued engagement between the two institutions and appreciated the PIM PLUS team for what he described as proactive and continuous collaboration.

Muvawala underscored NPA’s commitment to ensuring that the PIM PLUS operation achieves its core objectives.

He also informed the meeting that NPA had held constructive engagements with the World Bank, which he said would, among other things, support the Authority’s efficiency in meeting its obligations under the PIM PLUS operation.

NPA Senior Manager for Research and Development, Dr Winnie Nabiddo, highlighted the Authority’s progress in implementing the PIM PLUS operation.

Nabiddo said it was in NPA’s interest as an institution to ensure that the operation achieves its intended objectives.

She further reiterated NPA’s focus on developing detailed physical plans that are climate-resilient.

The engagement between the PIM PLUS Secretariat and NPA underscores the importance of coordination among institutions involved in Uganda’s public investment planning and management as the country seeks to improve the quality and impact of public investments.