Moroto, Uganda: The completion of the Moroto-Soroti road has significantly lowered the prices of food and essential items in Karamoja, providing easier transportation and accessibility. Prior to the road’s construction, difficulties in transporting goods into the Karamoja region forced traders to increase prices to compensate for losses incurred during transportation.
The elevated food prices had previously posed challenges for families in Karamoja, making it difficult to combat malnutrition. The region heavily relies on neighboring districts such as Soroti, Lira, Mbale, and Sebei for 97% of its food supply.
The 197-kilometer road, constructed by China Communication Construction Company Limited (CCCC) at a cost of Shs 398 billion, has eased transportation, leading traders to reduce food prices. Two years ago, a kilogram of sugar in Moroto was priced at Shs 8,000, but it has now decreased to Shs 5,000. Similarly, maize flour, previously at Shs 4,000 per kilogram, now ranges around Shs 3,000, depending on the grade. In Kotido, the price of rice increased to Shs 4,300 and has now dropped to Shs 3,800.
Peter Lokol, a retail trader, highlighted how the improved roads have facilitated easier transportation for traders. Previously, traders faced challenges, with transport expenses reaching Shs 30,000 per bag of maize flour from Mbale to Moroto. The poor road conditions also led to spoilage of produce during transportation.
However, Lokol emphasized the positive impact of the upgraded roads, stating that traders no longer incur losses in transportation, eliminating the need for continued price hikes.
Betty Namboze, a businesswoman dealing with perishable items in Moroto, expressed how operating a business in Karamoja has become more profitable due to the improved road conditions. The completion of the road has reduced losses caused by transport difficulties, especially during the rainy season.
Johnson Omagor, another trader, commended the government for upgrading the Moroto-Soroti road, noting that it not only benefits the people of Karamoja but also facilitates Kenyan traders crossing to buy merchandise from Soroti and Mbale for the Turkana markets.
“To me, this road has boosted East Africanism because we receive our friends who are traders from Kenya on a daily basis, going to buy produce from Mbale and Soroti using this road, which is good,” Omagor remarked.
