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Thursday, 9 February 2023
By Timothy Eodu
Karamoja leaders moot for community involvement in security roads construction. Several leaders from Karamoja have called upon the ministry of works and it’s constructors to consider using the local population especially the karacunas (youth).
The leaders urge that some of these karacunas (youth) who are redundant and capable of being security threats if involved can be able to fend for their families but also deter them from raids.
Hon. Hilary Lokwang the Ik County Member of Parliament says the involvement of the local population is key since they can act as shields to the field team.
Hon. Ngoya John Bosco the MP Bokora West County urged that the karacunas in the region are very hard working and as such involving them will boost the work speed.
He feared that if the local community is left out, this may pose security threat to the engineering teams who will be on duty.
Hon. Margaret Achilla Aleper the MP Kotido district decried that in most projects being implemented within the region, local people, some of whom are qualified are left out. She says their consideration will ensure that even locals people are empowered financially.
Meanwhile, the Amudat woman Member of Parliament, Hon. Betty Louke Chelain was concerned that by avoiding local content, lives of contractors will be put at total risk and as such, there must be back up by security as well to accompany the contractors.
Importance of the security roads
According to Hon. Hilary, the construction of security roads will boost agribusiness especially in the areas of Kaabong and Karenga where much crop production is done but transporting them to the market has always been challenging.
He also says this will open up the region to resettlements along these roads and as a result, insecurity will be addressed as the wrong elements shall be pushed out of hiding.
Mr. Ismail Muhammed Odar, the mayor Moroto municipality said opening up these roads will create more access to the hard to reach thus simplifying mobility of security forces and recovery of raided animals.
The Tepeth County MP Hon. Albert Lokor Ekorita urged that access to schools and other social services shall be addressed partially as most people had been locked out due to access. He pleaded that the works ministry creates more access roads in Karamoja to boost social economic transformation.
Hon. Fred Byamukama Minister of State for Works & Transport in charge Transport assured the leaders that the Ministry will ensure compliance of use of local labour where due to enhance cooperation with the local populations within the contract scope.
Road status in Karamoja
According to the National Roads Projects Status Report – September 2022, Karamoja has several roads under on-going upgrade, project procurement and those under project design. For instance, Moroto-Lokitanyala road measuring 42km is being up graded to Asphalt under M/s China Railway No.3 Engineering Group at a cost of UGX 206,050,702,521. Project progress stood at 40% by end of January, Muyembe –Nakapiripirit Road stretching 117km being upgraded to Asphalt by M/S Polat Yol Yapi San. Ve Tic. A.S of at a cost of UGX 399,958,528,511, progress is 16.5%.
Projects under Procurement as Of September 2022
Design and Build of Moroto-Kotido Road from Gravel to Paved Bituminous Standard-96.4kmAt Bidding Stage6.Design and Build of Kotido-Kaabong Road (69.2km)At Evaluation Stage7.
Construction of Lions Swamp (Bridge) Crossing along Moroto-Napak-Abim-Pader Road at Evaluation Stage18. Civil Works for the Upgrading of Karenga-Kapedo-Kaboong Road (67.5km) form Gravel to Paved at Contract Award Stage21.
Design and Build of Five (5) Failed Bridges on the National Road Network under Design and Build Lotoketangisira Bridge on Kaabong-Kapedo Road (Lot 4)At Contract Award Stage.
Upgrading Projects under Design as Of September2022
Lira -Abim Road (125km)
