Germany commits sh118b to transform rural roads across northern Uganda
The initiative aims to unlock northern Uganda's agricultural potential by improving road connectivity and market infrastructure, increasing incomes for smallholder farmers, and enhancing access to essential social services.
Launching the project, local government state minister Justine Namere Nsubuga warned contractors that the Government would not grant extensions for delayed works. (Courtesy photo)
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The Government of Uganda, in partnership with the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, has officially launched the construction and rehabilitation of 728 kilometres of community access roads across the Acholi, Lango, and Teso sub-regions under the Rural Development and Food Security in Northern Uganda (RUDSEC) project.
The initiative aims to unlock northern Uganda's agricultural potential by improving road connectivity and market infrastructure, increasing incomes for smallholder farmers, and enhancing access to essential social services.
The beneficiary districts include Pader, Agago, and Lamwo in Acholi; Lira and Dokolo in Lango; and Kaberamaido, Soroti, and Serere in the Teso sub-region.
Speaking during the Acholi regional launch at Puranga Primary School playground in Pader district on July 16, 2026, Eng. Milton Edimu, the portfolio coordinator for Germany's KfW Development Bank in Uganda, said the project reflected the strong and long-standing partnership between Uganda and Germany.
He said the project, implemented through Uganda's local government ministry, demonstrated the two countries' shared commitment to sustainable rural development, food security, and improved livelihoods.
To finance the project, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has provided a grant of €28 million (approximately sh118.4 billion) through German Financial Cooperation, administered by KfW Development Bank.
Edimu said improved feeder roads would create significant opportunities for rural communities.
"A dependable feeder road connects farmers to markets, traders to customers, children to schools, and families to essential services such as healthcare," he said.
He added that the upgraded roads would reduce travel time, lower transport costs, minimise post-harvest losses, and strengthen community resilience.
Under the project, approximately 728 kilometres of community access roads will be rehabilitated. The first phase covers 140 kilometres, while the remaining road sections are currently under design.
The project will also rehabilitate 13 roadside markets across the three beneficiary sub-regions.
Construction is expected to commence immediately following the groundbreaking ceremony and is scheduled for completion within eight months, followed by a four-month defects liability period.
Acholi sub-region
In Agago district, Safe Green Uganda Limited will rehabilitate the 15-kilometre Kalongo-Lomoi Road at a cost of sh989.2 million, while Strakon United will rehabilitate another 14.9-kilometre section of the same road at a cost of approximately sh1 billion.
In Lamwo district, Nabet Construction Limited will rehabilitate the 21.6-kilometre Corner Ogwec-Tenten Road at a cost of sh1.4 billion.
In Pader district, Unifield Technical Services Limited has commenced work on the 18-kilometre Puranga-Ogonyo-Achola Road, valued at sh1.3 billion.
Lango sub-region
In Lira district, Alliance Technical Services will rehabilitate the 13.3-kilometre Agweng-Barlonyo-Akano-Lwala Road at a cost of sh1.3 billion.
In Dokolo district, JB United Civil Engineering and Building will rehabilitate the 12.7-kilometre Alwima-Awiri-Asalim Road at a cost of sh1.1 billion.
Teso sub-region
In Kaberamaido district, CAB Limited will rehabilitate the 12.8-kilometre Ochero-Bugoi Road at a cost of sh997.1 million.
In Soroti district, Magambi Civil Engineering Uganda Limited will rehabilitate the 13.5-kilometre Atirir-Bugoi Border Road at a cost of sh1.1 billion.
In Serere district, TABA Service Limited will rehabilitate the 14.9-kilometre Serere Upper Shops-Akobi Road, also valued at sh1.1 billion.
Launching the project, local government state minister Justine Namere Nsubuga warned contractors that the Government would not grant extensions for delayed works.
She cautioned that any contractor found engaging in corruption or delivering substandard work would have their contract terminated and the company blacklisted from bidding for public contracts in Uganda and across the East African region.
The minister also directed Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) to assign assistant RDCs to closely monitor project implementation and submit weekly progress reports accompanied by photographs and videos.
Residents welcome initiative
Residents welcomed the project, expressing optimism that improved roads would transform livelihoods and boost agricultural marketing.
Brenda Akello, a resident of Puranga town council, said poor road conditions had enabled middlemen to exploit farmers by offering as little as sh300 per kilogramme for agricultural produce, citing high transport costs.
She urged contractors to complete the works within the stipulated timeframe.
Pader LC5 chairperson Alfred Akena said poor road infrastructure had long hindered development in the Acholi sub-region.
According to Akena, Pader district has only 12.5 kilometres of tarmac roads, 528 kilometres of gravel roads, and 1,204 kilometres of earth roads.
He noted that with only sh1 billion allocated annually for road maintenance, the district had struggled to maintain its road network.
Akena expressed confidence that the new investment would stimulate local economic growth and improve access to markets.
Pader district woman MP CD Luwila Oketayot said inadequate infrastructure had also undermined the implementation of the Parish Development Model (PDM), with many beneficiaries unable to access markets.
She said the new roads would significantly improve connectivity and enhance the effectiveness of government poverty alleviation programmes.