By Kaleb Yiiki

Arua

Government has decided to Support Districts with 1billion Shillings for Road Maintenance but not for Bridge Construction. This Revelation, came during the presentation on the Status of Roads in West Nile Region by the Minister for Works and Transport Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala.

In his Presentation to the Leaders of West Nile Districts, Gen. Katumba urged the Districts to share the Road Equipment under their care with the Municipality and City Councils. He reported that, by the close of Financial Year 2021/2022, a total of 4,887,744,697 Ugandan Shillings was released to all Districts in West Nile whereas for the third Quarter of 2022/2023, Financial Year, 50% of the Road funds have been Released to the West Nile Districts for Road maintenance in the District and Sub counties.

The Minister outlined the Roads in plan and those in final Stages to start project implementation as Atiak Adjumani Moyo Road; where a bridge at Laropi ferry Landing site shall be constructed to connect Adjumani to Moyo instead of using a ferry. He revealed that the design of Laropi Bridge is complete and that after the Laropi Bridge Construction, UNRA will proceed to construct Afoji in Moyo District. Secondly, the Repair and Maintenance of Nebbi- Arua Tarmac Road shall be done, in the Financial Year 2023/2024, funded by the World Bank.  

Thirdly, tarmacking Koboko-Yumbe-Moyo Road shall be started since the compensation of the Project affected persons is at 90%. He added that when this project shall be completed, the World Bank promised to fund tarmacking the road from Zombo-Paidha-Warr up to Vurra. For the Purposes of boosting Trade, between Ugandan and Congo, tarmacking the 18km Road between Nebbi and Goli shall be started this Financial Year 2023/2024.

Katumba also said that the Upcoming Projects to start next Financial Years are Tarmacking of Lia- Odramacaku Road, Manibe-Yumbe Road in 2024/2025 and that some Section of the Road will be funded by the Japanese Government. “District Local Governments should Stop Construction of Bridges for it is only the Mandate of UNRA to do, so for the Road funds are for Maintenance of District and Sub County Roads.” He cautioned.      

COVER PHOTO: Gen. Katumba Wamala Giving State of Roads in West Nile Region By Kaleb Yiiki