The Inspectorate of Government (IG) met with the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and other Implementing Partners (IPs) at Imperial Royale Hotel, Kampala on May 31, 2023 to discuss the progress of many sub-projects under the Development Response to Displacement Impact Project (DRDIP).

The meeting was initiated by IG to get feedback from IPs on the challenges they are facing while implementing the sub-projects, causes for delays, and offer solutions that can lead to the successful implementation of the sub-projects.

OPM has the overall responsibility of implementing and accounting for project funds and coordinating activities under all project components, while IG is involved in ensuring the successful implementation of DRDIP in line with its mandate to ensure transparency, accountability, effective service delivery and value for money.

Deputy Inspector General of Government Dr. Patricia Achan Okiria noted that DRDIP has made an immense contribution to the socioeconomic transformation agenda in the refugee hosting communities, adding that a lot of successes have been registered.

“I have personally inspected the projects and seen the value addition made to our people. I have seen improvement in the education, health, environment and livelihood programmes. I commend all the stakeholders for this. To a great extent, we are achieving the project objectives,” she said.

However, Dr. Okiria noted that there are few glitches which are likely to downgrade the successes of the project and lead to loss of billions of shillings if they are unattended to.

“These are matters concerning delayed sub-projects, incomplete and un-commenced projects,” she explained.

She asked the IPs to step up their efforts and ensure that no project remains incomplete by December, 2023.

DRDIP is a $20 million project funded by the World Bank, which seeks to address expanded development needs by the refugee hosting districts in the country.

The project addresses the unmet social, economic and environmental needs identified in the local host communities.

It is currently being implemented in the districts of Arua, Terego, Koboko, Madi-Okollo, Yumbe, Moyo, Adjumani and Obongi in West Nile sub-region; Lamwo in Acholi sub-region; Kiryandongo, Hoima and Kikuube in Bunyoro sub-region and Isingiro, Kamwenge and Kyegegwa in South West sub-region.