KATAKWI: The Vice President Maj. (Rtd)Jessica Alupo has launched the construction of a 15-Kilometre road from Adacar-Okuliak-Amendera in Ongongoja Sub-county, Usuk County, Katakwidistrict.
The project,valued at Sh140m, is expected to be completed within 23 days.
The road construction is funded by the government of Uganda under the Shs1 Billion allocated to each district and municipalities for road maintenance and supervised by the Katakwi district local government.
According to the vice president, who doubles as the Woman MP Elect for Katakwi district, the road will enhance accessibility to essential services such as markets, health facilities,and agriculture when completed.
Alupo emphasized the need for quality work and warned against substandard construction.
“We cannot afford to waste government resources on shoddy projects. This road mustmeet the highest standards,” she asserted.
She also urged the Katakwi district local government to employ local residents as casual laborers,ensuring that the project benefits the community beyond infrastructure development.
Alupo emphasized that the government of Uganda under president Museveni’s leadership, is focused on lifting communities out of poverty by first securing peace, which the country continues to enjoy.
“With the prevailing peace,we can now focus on building good roads to connect people to schools, markets,and health facilities, we are investing in electricity, air transport, water transport, and railways to improve the mobility of goods and services,” she noted.
She urged the community to closely monitor the construction exercise to ensure government money is not put to waste.Bosco Okiror, MP Usuk County, who was present at the launch, urged the local community to own government projects, including PDM, Emyooga, so that they benefit everyone, especially in rural areas.
He hailed the project as a major boost for the district and instructed the district technical staff to prioritize maintenance in flood-prone areas to ensure sustainability.
The road construction is expected to transform transport in Ongongoja sub-county, improving service delivery, security, and economic opportunities for the people of Katakwi.
Katakwi Resident District Commissioner Stephen Ilemukorit Okure, assured residents that work on the project has commenced immediately, with clearing and leveling as the first phase and urged the locals to be “engineers” to ensure value for money.
Katakwi District CAO Samuel Baker Opio, thanked the vice president for being a relentless advocate of peace and development for Katakwi and the country at large.He emphasized the importance of the road in improving connectivity and promoting economic activities between Katakwi district and Karamoja sub-region.
“This road is crucial in linking communities to social services,markets, and farms, which will significantly enhance local livelihoods,” Opio stated. SimonPeter Amaitum, the LC1 chairperson of Okuliakvillage, expressed gratitude to the government, for thedevelopment and called upon the localsto vote for president Museveni in the forthcoming general elections.
Speaking on behalf of the Maj.Gen. Wilberforce Nserunkuma, the 3rd Division Infantry Commander, Col. Jude Rukuubya, the Commander of Usalama Brigadenoted that the road would also play a key role in enhancing security between the Teso region and Karamoja, as it connects with Napak district.
“With improved road access, security personnel will be able to respond swiftly, particularly in cases of cattle rustling and other security threats,” Rukuubya explaine.
