KATAKWI: Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo has inaugurated the construction and maintenance of community access roads in Katakwi to enhance road infrastructure in the district.
Alupo commended President Yoweri Museveni for allocating sh1b to each district and municipality across the country for the maintenance of roads outside the Uganda National Roads Authority.
The roads commissioned include the Koritok-Aparisa-Ocorimongin road (7.5km) estimated at Sh282m, Abwokodia-Ongatunyo-Milimili-Aketa road (7km) at 285m, and Ocorimongin-Alese-Omodoi road (8km) at 282m.
Katakwi, one of the districts that received an extra sh1 billion for road maintenance in the fiscal year 2023/2024 budget, in addition to the funds provided through the Road Fund.
During the commissioning of the road construction and maintenance works in Koritok, Usuk County, Alupo stated that the government allocated additional funds through the Road Fund for the maintenance of roads in every district, aiming to ensure that all districts have access to sufficient resources for road maintenance and improvement.
“The money is meant to facilitate routine maintenance of existing murram roads within the district,” Alupo said.
She emphasized that the allocation of additional funds through the Road Fund underscores the government’s commitment to improving and maintaining Uganda’s road infrastructure.
The vice president highlighted that with these resources, the state of roads in districts across the country will witness substantial improvements, ultimately benefiting local communities and economic activities.
Alupo assured the public that the government has already begun procuring road equipment for districts without it. Approximately 11 districts lack road equipment nationwide.
She emphasized the use of government services to consolidate unity in Katakwi district and cautioned contractors against shoddy works.
“Contractors should ensure that quality construction materials are utilized, and workmanship conforms to the quality standards and specifications,” Alupo said.
She tasked the Katakwi district Chief Administrative Officer to allocate the Sh1b holistically to benefit the entire district. “Please allocate the resources fairly and equally,” she said.
“We have left the issue of running from cattle rustlers because the government has established sufficient security in Karamoja and neighboring areas. I appeal to you to embrace government development and livelihood programs to eradicate household poverty,” Alupo said.
She appealed to contractors to cover the ball pits after murram has been excavated to safeguard the children who are currently on holiday.
She also urged boda boda riders to be extra cautious during the construction of these roads to avoid accidents.
Katakwi Resident District Commissioner Maj. Godfrey Katamba lamented the increasing maintenance cost of the district’s road equipment.
“One tire of a Grader costs between sh4-sh5m without considering mechanical challenges, yet the district has three pieces of equipment,” Katamba said.
He asked the government to consider the aspect of maintenance.
He also reiterated the need for engineers to cover up ball pits after the excavation of murram. He stated that available information indicates that 10 children have lost their lives in Katakwi district due to open ball pits and urged parents to control their children.
Katamba noted that the ongoing road construction and maintenance fulfill the NRM manifesto, which is a social contract between the party and electorates.
He stated that when completed, the three roads under construction are going to enhance the agricultural value chain.
“These roads are going to change the lives of people and also boost agricultural and economic services, which is pillar II of the parish development model,” Maj. Katamba said.
Katakwi District Chairman Geoffrey Omolo thanked the government, especially President Yoweri Museveni, for allocating sh1b to each district and municipality for the maintenance of roads outside the Uganda National Roads Authority.
He, however, appealed to the government, through the vice president, to look into the maintenance costs of the equipment.
District Engineer Andrew Echatu said road maintenance and recruitment of road gangs have been completed, and activities are commencing this month.
He noted that the implementing entity is required to ensure adequate quality control of works to maximize the social and economic benefits from the roads improved under the grant.
