ARUA CITY PLANS RESOURCE CENTRE AT OPM GROUNDS TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
By Martin Anguyo
Arua City
Arua City is planning to establish a resource center at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) grounds to improve access to information, technology and essential services for individuals and communities, particularly those who face challenges accessing such opportunities.
The proposed facility will be developed with funding from the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) under Result Three of the Financial Durable Solutions Initiative through the PP Project.
The initiative is expected to strengthen access to resources and services by providing a central point where community members can obtain relevant information, interact with available support services and access opportunities that contribute to their social and economic development.
The proposed resource centre is also expected to address some of the information and service-access gaps affecting communities, particularly in an urban setting where access to reliable information and technological resources is increasingly important for participation in development activities.
John Odabo, the Arua City Information Technology (IT) Officer, says the establishment of the centre is intended to improve how communities access and utilize information and technological resources.
He notes that access to information and technology has become an important component of development, particularly as communities increasingly depend on digital platforms to access services, information and opportunities.
“The facility was originally to be that side where the public library is and where there was encroachment, then they decided we can use the OPM grounds but I believe the center will provide an opportunity for people to access a range of resources in one location, reducing some of the difficulties associated with seeking information and services from different places” he said.
Charles Omona, the Arua City Engineer, says the success of the proposed facility will depend on the commitment of city leadership and the effective implementation of the project to ensure that it responds to the needs of the intended beneficiaries.
Omona says the resource centre would provide significant benefits to the community once completed, particularly by bringing together different services and facilities that residents would otherwise have to access from separate locations.
“Proper planning, coordination and supervision will be important in ensuring that the facility meets the expectations of the city and delivers lasting benefits to the population” he noted.
The project is part of broader efforts by Arua City and UNCDF to address the growing demand for inclusive infrastructure and socio-economic opportunities among host communities, refugees and other forcibly displaced populations.
According to Arua City, the proposed multi-purpose resource centre is expected to accommodate a youth skilling centre, information hub, modern library, banking facilities, shops, pharmacies, clinics and office spaces for businesses.
The development is particularly significant for Arua City, which hosts both local residents and displaced populations, placing additional pressure on existing infrastructure and social services.
Statistics from UNCDF indicate that its durable solutions financing interventions in Uganda have supported 972 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), with 80 percent of the supported businesses led by women. The interventions have contributed to the creation of 1,110 jobs, including 299 for refugees and 340 for internally displaced persons.
These figures demonstrate the importance of investing in inclusive infrastructure and economic opportunities that benefit both displaced populations and host communities
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