Katakwi to repair feeder roads
Jul 11, 2007
KATAKWI district has approved the budget for the rehabilitation of feeder and community roads in the district. District chairperson John Ekongot said the long running insecurity in Teso region had made the district road system impassable.
By Aidah Nanyonjo
KATAKWI district has approved the budget for the rehabilitation of feeder and community roads in the district. District chairperson John Ekongot said the long running insecurity in Teso region had made the district road system impassable.
Apart from the recent Lord’s Resistance Army rebel activities in Teso region, the area has been affected by Karimojong cattle rustlers who displaced many households.
In a press statement, Ekongot said the district had given roads the first priority so as to facilitate the return of internally displaced people to their homes.
Some of the existing roads for rehabilitation include the 30km-Magoro-Ngariam Road and the 13km-Ngariam-Palam Road.
Meanwhile, the district has also started a tree planting programme in a bid to restore the forests that were destroyed during the insurgency.
“Since trees are a source of income, we are not looking at this project for environmental conservation alone, but also as a source of income for the internally displaced persons who are now returning to their homes.
Ekongot said deforestation took place as people in camps fetched firewood in the neighbouring district forest reserves.
“Since some people have resettled in their villages, we shall give them different types of tree seeds to for plant,†he said.
The trees will be planted in the former forest reserves within the district and also in individual and communal forests.
However, the project is still challenged by lack of nursery beds, which can supply seedlings to the whole district.
KATAKWI district has approved the budget for the rehabilitation of feeder and community roads in the district. District chairperson John Ekongot said the long running insecurity in Teso region had made the district road system impassable.
Apart from the recent Lord’s Resistance Army rebel activities in Teso region, the area has been affected by Karimojong cattle rustlers who displaced many households.
In a press statement, Ekongot said the district had given roads the first priority so as to facilitate the return of internally displaced people to their homes.
Some of the existing roads for rehabilitation include the 30km-Magoro-Ngariam Road and the 13km-Ngariam-Palam Road.
Meanwhile, the district has also started a tree planting programme in a bid to restore the forests that were destroyed during the insurgency.
“Since trees are a source of income, we are not looking at this project for environmental conservation alone, but also as a source of income for the internally displaced persons who are now returning to their homes.
Ekongot said deforestation took place as people in camps fetched firewood in the neighbouring district forest reserves.
“Since some people have resettled in their villages, we shall give them different types of tree seeds to for plant,†he said.
The trees will be planted in the former forest reserves within the district and also in individual and communal forests.
However, the project is still challenged by lack of nursery beds, which can supply seedlings to the whole district.