Karamoja: Stakeholders Assess Ongoing Construction of Security Roads

Stakeholders from the Ministry of Works and Transport, Uganda Martyrs Housing and Construction Company Limited, Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) and National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) inspected the ongoing construction of security roads to assess the works progress.

This follows the groundbreaking ceremony of the security roads in the Karamoja Sub-region which was launched in February 2023 by the Hon Minister of State for Transport, Fred Byamukama, and the Hon Minister of State for Karamoja Affairs, Agnes Nandutu, alongside other senior officials at Sinyu-Kobebe road junction in Napak District.

During the joint inspection, the 3 Division Deputy Commander, Brigadier General Felix Busizoori, said that upon completion, the roads will enhance security, trade, tourism and inter-connectivity within Karamoja Sub-region and across the border as the region steers up for socio-economic transformation.

Kinyera Moses, the site engineer for Uganda Martyrs Housing and Construction Company Limited, explained that two roads contracted under Lot 2 have been opened and gravelled as the installation of culverts is ongoing.

The two roads include; Road 1: Simyu – Magos – Naput (55.06KM) and Kobebe – Naput (26.55KM) and Road 2: Kobebe – Kalongolemuge – Nakapelimoru (33.009KM) while Road 3: contracted under Lot 1; covers (138KM) Nakiloro – Naput – Kotein – Kotein – Loyoro (88KM), Loyoro – Lopedo (50KM) being worked on by NEC.

According to Kwesiga Bright, the assistant site engineer for NEC, Road 3 is at a progressive opening and forming road bed stage.

The three-road works are part of the broader 250km that the Government of Uganda promised to rehabilitate and improve Karamoja security roads in a way to reduce the insecurity and cattle rustling activities in the sub-region in FY 2021/2022.

Present during the inspection were: Officials from the Ministry of Works and Transport, the 405 Brigade Commander, Officials from the National Enterprise Corporation and officers from the 3 Division.