By Peter Kaujju

UGANDA telecom (utl) has completed a technical project under Northern Uganda Reconstruction Programme (NURP II).

The project aims at rehabilitating the telecommunications infrastructure in the north.

Aimable Mpore, the utl managing director, said during the celebrations at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel on Tuesday that the project would create the basis for the region’s economic development.

“It’s significant because it further demonstrates uganda telecom’s commitment towards the rehabilitation of the telecommunications infrastructure, by creating a foundation for economic and social development in the northern region,” Mpore said.

He said through the project, utl had been able to remove communication bottlenecks and that impact was already on district headquarters, business transactions, institutions and hospitals.

The about $7.1m (sh13b) project was funded by Nordic Development Fund.

Mpore said utl completed site acquisition and access road construction, built 17 new shelters, fencing systems and renovation of existing buildings.

He said outside the scope of NURP II Project, utl provided the last mile solutions for linking customers to the network using GSM Mobile Telephone Systems.

Grace Akelo, the State Minister for Northern Uganda, said the project was rated as successful.

She said the project would have economic benefits, connectivity, stimulate production, trade and commerce and reduce public transport costs.

uganda telecom and mango have become one.