Kampala, Uganda – The Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development hosted a farewell dinner at Kampala Serena Hotel on Friday in honor of Ms. Mukami Kariuki, the Outgoing World Bank Country Manager for Uganda.
The event was attended by senior government officials, including Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury (PSST) Ramathan Ggoobi and Bank of Uganda Governor Michael Atingi-Ego, who lauded Ms. Kariuki for her exceptional service and dedication to Uganda’s development.
In his remarks, PSST Ggoobi expressed deep appreciation for Ms. Kariuki’s contributions, describing her as a dedicated professional whose leadership strengthened Uganda’s collaboration with the World Bank.
“I want to appreciate you wholeheartedly for the support you have rendered to the Ministry. Your professionalism, dedication, and openness to dialogue have set a commendable standard for our continuous collaboration with the Bank,” Ggoobi stated.
PSST Ggoobi commended Mukami for securing $2.251 billion in critical loans and grants, spanning infrastructure (roads and energy), education, livelihoods, and agriculture key sectors driving Uganda’s development agenda.
Ggoobi also noted that the outgoing World Bank Country Manager played a pivotal role in improving the performance of World Bank-funded projects in Uganda compared to previous years, ensuring better implementation and outcomes.
Bank of Uganda Governor Michael Atingi-Ego commended outgoing World Bank Country Manager Mukami Kariuki for her steadfast commitment to Uganda’s development, highlighting her key role in advancing critical initiatives nationwide.
“Mukami carried Uganda in her heart and demonstrated exceptional passion in driving World Bank programmes forward. Her leadership ensured that projects were not just implemented but aligned with Uganda’s long-term development goals, leaving a lasting impact on the communities they served,” Governor Atingi-Ego remarked.
The Governor highlighted her hands-on approach in fostering collaboration between the World Bank and Ugandan institutions, ensuring that funding was effectively channeled into transformative projects.
As she bid farewell, Ms. Kariuki thanked the Ministry of Finance for the gesture and urged the Ugandan government to embrace innovation in project implementation, especially in light of anticipated reductions in development financing.
“The amount of resources for projects is expected to be limited in the future. Government should be innovative to effectively deliver projects using available resources,” Kariuki advised.
She also commended Uganda for its progressive refugee policy, acknowledging the country’s role in hosting and supporting refugees despite resource constraints.
The Ministry of Finance looks forward to maintaining a robust relationship with the World Bank under new leadership, building on the strong foundation laid by Ms. Kariuki.
The event concluded with warm wishes for Ms. Kariuki in her future endeavors, with Ugandan officials expressing hope that her successor will continue her legacy.