Govt signs contracts to rehabilitate 139km of roads in 9 northern, eastern districts

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The Ministry of Local Government has signed contracts for the rehabilitation of 139 kilometres of district and community access roads across nine districts under the Rural Development for Food Security in Northern Uganda (RUDSEC) Project.

Construction is expected to commence next week following the official handover of project sites.

The road rehabilitation will significantly enhance accessibility, connectivity, and mobility across the districts of Lamwo, Agago, Pader, Dokolo, Lira, Oyam, Serere, Soroti, and Kaberamaido.

This upgraded infrastructure will strengthen local service delivery while driving agricultural production, commercialisation, and market access, a statement from the ministry said today (July 9).

In a statement, which was released after the contract signing ceremony, local government ministry Permanent Secretary Ben Kumumanya emphasised that reliable road infrastructure is critical to Uganda's socio-economic transformation.

"Agri-industrialisation is central to Uganda's journey towards middle-income status. That transformation begins with mobility and accessibility through roads, which facilitate trade, service delivery, and other development activities," he said.

The rehabilitation works will cover the following road sections:

Agago–Kalongo–Lomoi Road (Section B):14.9km

Lamwo–Corner Ogwec–Tenten Road: 21.6km

Puranga–Ogonyo–Achola Stream Road (Pader):18km

Agweng–Barlonyo and Akano–Lwala roads (Lira): 16.3km

Alwimac–Awiri–Asalim Road (Dokolo): 12.7km

Ochero–Bugoi Road (Kaberamaido): 12.8km

Atirir–Orungo Border Road (Soroti): 13.5km

Serere Upper Shops–Akoboi and Kamod–Otimong–Akobi roads (Serere):14.9km

Beyond physical infrastructure, the project represents a strategic investment in decentralisation, local economic development, and improved livelihoods, according to the local government ministry.

 "It will create vital opportunities for farming communities to reach markets, essential services, and new economic prospects," Kumumanya said.

He called on the contractors to deliver high-quality infrastructure with integrity, transparency, and professionalism.

He urged them to collaborate closely with the respective district local governments, prioritise local employment for surrounding communities, and strictly safeguard the environment throughout project implementation.

The RUDSEC Project is a rural infrastructure and agricultural development initiative implemented by the local government ministry and funded by the Government of Uganda and the German Government through KfW Development Bank.

Its primary objective is to boost agricultural incomes and improve food security for smallholder farmers by upgrading rural infrastructure and expanding market access.

Under the framework established by the 1995 Constitution and the Local Governments Act (Cap 243), Local Governments in Uganda are structurally positioned as the primary interface between the state and the citizen.

They are the actual implementers of frontline service delivery, responsible for translating national policy into tangible outcomes in education, primary healthcare, public works, and agricultural extension.