Vice-President Jessica Alupo has officially commissioned the construction and maintenance of community access roads in a bid to enhance road infrastructure in Uganda’s eastern district of Katakwi. President Yoweri Museveni’s allocation of sh1 billion to each district and municipality for road maintenance has paved the way for significant developments in Katakwi.
The commissioned roads include the Koritok-Aparisa-Ocorimongin Road (7.5km), estimated at sh282 million; Abwokodia-Ongatunyo-Milimili-Aketa Road (7km), costing sh285 million; and Ocorimongin-Alese-Omodoi Road (8km), with an estimated expenditure of sh282 million.
Under the fiscal year 2023/2024 budget, Katakwi received an additional sh1 billion for road maintenance, supplementing funds provided through the Road Fund. Vice-President Alupo expressed gratitude to President Museveni for this allocation, emphasizing the government’s commitment to improving and maintaining Uganda’s road infrastructure.
The allocated funds are earmarked for the routine maintenance of existing murram roads within the district. Alupo stressed that the additional funds through the Road Fund underscore the government’s dedication to enhancing road infrastructure nationwide.
Addressing the public during the commissioning, Vice-President Alupo assured that the government is in the process of procuring road equipment for districts, with 11 districts currently lacking such equipment. She urged contractors to ensure the use of quality construction materials and adherence to specified standards.
The Katakwi resident district commissioner, Maj. Godfrey Katamba, highlighted the increasing maintenance costs of district road equipment and appealed to the government to address these concerns. He also emphasized the importance of covering ball pits after murram excavation to safeguard children.
The ongoing road construction and maintenance align with the National Resistance Movement manifesto, fulfilling the social contract between the party and the electorate. When completed, the roads are expected to enhance the agricultural value chain, subsequently improving the lives of the people and boosting economic services.
Geoffrey Omolo, the Katakwi district chairman, expressed gratitude to the government and appealed for attention to the maintenance costs of equipment. District engineer Andrew Echatu confirmed the completion of road maintenance and recruitment of road gangs, with activities commencing this month. Quality control measures are emphasized to maximize the social and economic benefits of the improved roads under the grant.
