In Uganda’s northern city of Lira, a road known for its thriving business activities is receiving a significant upgrade. The Lira-Kamdini Road rehabilitation project is part of Lot 2B within the North Eastern Road-Corridor Asset Management Project (NERAMP), a substantial 340-kilometer World Bank-funded endeavor spanning various districts, including Tororo, Mbale, Bukedea, Kumi, Ngora, Soroti, Kaberamaido, Dokolo, Lira, Kole, and Oyam.
The 66.5-kilometer Lira-Kamdini Road is currently undergoing extensive rehabilitation to address sections of the corridor that were previously plagued by road crashes and mechanical breakdowns.
Walter Oming, the Secretary of the Grievances Management Committee in Kole South, Kole district, described the initial condition of the road as terrible, causing immense difficulties for the transportation of goods and passengers. The road was filled with numerous potholes and was notorious for daily crashes, including fatal accidents, especially between Lira city and Kamdini. However, he appreciates the efforts of the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) for bringing the company to reconstruct the road. Oming noted that while the road is now smoother and better-established, it is not yet completed.
The majority of vehicles on this route are heavy commercial trucks, indicating a significant increase in cross-border trade from South Sudan, DR Congo, Kenya, and Tanzania. These trucks, which previously traveled from Tororo through Kampala to the Gulu highway, have now shifted their route to pass through the NERAMP road corridor due to the ongoing road reconstruction. Khalil Odong, Highway Engineer Lot 2, explained that this route is shorter, leading to the redirection of vehicle traffic.
Business operators along the route are also optimistic about the improvements. Boda boda cyclist Ivan Onege reported an increase in customers due to the better road conditions, which he believes will boost business and reduce transport costs. He also noted that vehicles and motorcycles are no longer getting damaged during transportation, as was common before.
Midwife Vicky Adong pointed out the challenges she faced when dealing with patients with complications due to the poor road condition. The ongoing reconstruction work has made it easier to quickly transfer patients to better-equipped hospitals, greatly benefiting healthcare services.
Upon completion, the upgraded Lira-Kamdini Road is expected to bring higher standards of safety and quality, as well as improved accessibility for the movement of people, goods, and services. Over 2.25 million residents along the corridor’s route will benefit from this transformation. Additionally, as an international passage, it will enhance Uganda’s competitive edge in regional trade and logistics, contributing to economic growth at both local and national levels.
NERAMP, a World Bank-backed initiative, aims to achieve various key objectives along the 340-kilometer Tororo-Kamdini Road corridor. These objectives include reducing transportation costs, enhancing road safety, and promoting sustainable road maintenance through performance-based asset management contracts.
