By Richard Onapatum

The Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo has commissioned the construction and maintenance of community access roads in Katakwi to enhance road infrastructure in the district.

Alupo lauded President Yoweri Museveni for allocating each district and municipality across the country, sh1b for maintenance of roads outside the Uganda National Roads Authority.

Among the roads commissioned include; 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 is one of the districts that under the fiscal year 2023/2024 budget received an extra UGX 1 billion for road maintenance, in addition to the funds provided through the Road Fund.

While commissioning the road construction and maintenance works in Koritok, Usuk County, Alupo said in a significant effort to enhance road infrastructure across the nation, the government allocated additional funds through the Road Fund for the maintenance of roads in every district.

She said the move is aimed at ensuring 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 noted that the move to allocate additional funds through the Road Fund underscores the government’s commitment to improving and maintenance of Uganda’s road infrastructure.

The vice president emphasized that with these resources, the state of roads in districts across the country will witness substantial improvements, ultimately benefiting local communities and economic activities.

She assured the public that the government has already embarked on the process of procuring road equipment for districts. About 11 districts lack road equipment across the country.

She emphasized that they want to use these services of government to consolidate unity in Katakwi district and cautioned contractors against shoddy work.

“Contractors should ensure that quality construction materials are utilized as well as ensuring that workmanship conforms to the quality standards and specifications,” Alupo said.
She tasked the Katakwi district Chief Administration 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 always cover the Ball pits after the murram has been excavated to safeguard the children who are currently on holiday.

She also appealed to boda boda riders to be extra cautious during the construction of these roads to avoid accidents.

The Katakwi Resident District commissioner Maj. Godfrey Katamba decried the increasing maintenance cost of the district road equipment.

“One tyre of a Grader buys between sh4-sh5m without looking at mechanical challenges yet the district has three equipment,” Katamba said. 
He asked the government to take into consideration the aspect of maintenance.

He also reechoed the need for engineers to cover up ball pits after the excavation of Murram. He said available information indicates that 10 children have lost their lives in the Katakwi district due to open ball pits. He asked parents to control their children.

Katamba noted that the ongoing road construction and maintenance is a fulfillment of the NRM manifesto which is a social contract between the party and electorates.

He noted 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 each district and municipality sh1b for 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.

The 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.