Museveni lauds outgoing World Bank country manager Kariuki

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President Yoweri Museveni has commended Mukami Kariuki, the outgoing World Bank country manager for Uganda, for her contribution to the country’s development initiatives during her tenure.

The President met Kariuki at State House Entebbe, on Monday, where he extended his best wishes as she concluded her assignment. She assumed office on August 1, 2021.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in a meeting with the outgoing World Bank Country Manager for Uganda R. Mukami Kariuki who bid him farewell and Qimiao Fan, the World Bank country director for Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia and Uganda at the State House Entebbe on July 28, 2025. (Photos by PPU/ Tony Rujuta)

“Thank you so much. I wish you good luck,” President Museveni told her.

Kariuki expressed appreciation for the cooperation extended to her during her time in Uganda.

“Your Excellency, I appreciate the support and partnership we have had. It has been a pleasure working with Uganda,” she said.

The meeting was also attended by Qimiao Fan, the World Bank country director for Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia and Uganda. He underscored the Bank’s commitment to supporting Uganda in areas such as agriculture, youth employment and renewable energy.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in a meeting where the outgoing World Bank Country Manager for Uganda R. Mukami Kariuki bid him farewell at the State House Entebbe. (Photos by PPU/ Tony Rujuta)

“Uganda has great potential. You have fertile soils, abundant sunshine for renewable energy, and a rapidly growing young population that needs jobs,” Fan noted.

He stressed the importance of boosting agricultural productivity through investments in irrigation, transport and quality inputs.

President Museveni acknowledged the support and highlighted Uganda’s achievements in agricultural research.

Outgoing World Bank Country Manager for Uganda R. Mukami Kariuki bids farewell to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at the State House Entebbe on July 28, 2025. (Photos by PPU/ Tony Rujuta)

“We already have improved seeds for crops like coffee, bananas, maize, cassava and potatoes. Our research centres have done their job. The challenge now is funding the uptake and supporting farmers to apply the technologies,” he said.

He cited Prof. Florence Muranga, a farmer in Bushenyi, who harvests 53 tonnes of bananas per acre annually through irrigation, far above the district average of 5 tonnes.

The President also spoke about relocating communities from wetlands and encouraging fish farming on the edges to enable irrigation while preserving the ecosystem.

Qimiao Fan, the World Bank country director for Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia and Uganda, delivering his remarks while meeting President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at the State House Entebbe on July 28, 2025. (Photos by PPU/ Tony Rujuta)

“We want to move people from wetlands and support them to do fish farming on the edge. That way, we preserve the wetlands and still use the water for irrigation,” he explained.

Museveni concluded by reaffirming the government’s readiness to collaborate further with the World Bank in transforming agriculture and promoting sustainable development.