By Ojok Robert Mone

Kitgum

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has confirmed plans to work on major roads and bridges in northern Uganda. The president revealed this during the 61^st Uganda`s Independence Day anniversary celebrations held in Kitgum Municipality. “Major national roads connecting Lango, Acholi and west Nile Shall be worked on to propel economic growth in these regions including transportation of Agricultural produce to the market,” he remarked.

According to Mr. Museveni, there is a plan to construct a modern bridge at Masindi port to connect Apac and Kiryandongo districts following the increased traffic that can no longer be managed by ferry.     

The president noted that, Rwekunye-Masindi port Apac-Lira-Puranga road is on progress being undertaken by two different contractors meanwhile Puranga-Acholibur portion has been given to another company after the previous contractor had some problems.

The Kitgum-Namukora-Karenga-Kidepo road project has already been awarded to a contractor and the works will start soon. Kitgum-Palabek-Apiatta brige-Atiak shall be worked on under refugee project.

The president however said the historical roads like Gulu-Opit-Awere-Puranga-patongo shall wait for the money from Oil Money. Soroti-Amuria-Obalanga-Acan Pii, Adilang-Kotido shall equally be worked on when funds allow.

Meanwhile, Nyeko Charles Olweny, expressed great excitement for having National celebrations of Independence Day in Kitgum. “I`m very happy to the government for giving Kitgum municipality the opportunity to host the national celebrations for the Independence Day, business people made a lot of sales, food vendors, hotels and lodges were full, people made  a lot of money as a result of the celebrations,” Olweny said.

According to the data from Uganda national Roads Authority, by 2021 Northern Uganda had 639Kms of tarmacked roads spread across Acholi, Lango and West Nile compared to Eastern with 802.9Kms, 1370Kms for central and 1486kms of tarmacked roads in central and western Uganda respectively.   

COVER PHOTO: Proposed Bridge to replace this Kungu-Masindi port Ferry By Ojok Robert Mone