Poor roads delay Kapchorwa technical centre

By Norman Katende

State sports minister Charles Bakkabulindi has called upon the Uganda National Road Authority to speed up works on the 11km road that connects Kapchorwa to Teryet where the national High Altitude Centre is set to be constructed.

Bakkabulindi made the call over the weekend after he received a report that all the other works have been delayed because of the bad roads that cannot allow the big supply vehicles to access the site.

State sports minister Charles Bakkabulindi's vehicle negotiates the bad road to Teryet

Already, the Rural Electrification Agency had started putting up electric poles but they could only do it for 3km as the road was impassable for the trucks.

State sports minister had a tough time with other ministry officials to negotiate with their 4WD to the site on the road that had rocks and pot holes and was slippery.

State sports minister Charles Bakkabulindi receives the school keys from contractors

“Nothing can be done until the road is done. We have talked to them. The good thing is that the contract to construct the two bridges has been awarded,” said Bakkabulindi as locals and their leaders challenged him on when the project would start after waiting for over five years from 2010.

Elderly women decorate Charles Bakkabulindi

Bakkabulindi, who officially received Teryet primary school from the contractors, and handed it over to Kapchorwa Local Council said that most of the preliminary works which include running water and electricity were on schedule and by February, the major works were expected to start.

“But even before it starts the community will already be benefitting. Not just from the school but also from the good road, power supply and water as we have instructed all the contractors to ensure that they supply all the communities before they reach Teryet,” said Bakkabulindi.

Deputy LCV chairman Dan Rotich after receiving the keys from Bakkabulindi

Bakkabulindi also donated balls to Teryet primary school pupils challenging the pupils to add football to their running skills.

District education officer Michael Chetoyek was all smiles saying that the finishing of the school was more an indication that even the project would start.

Commissioner for sports Omara Apitta said that most of the projects like the Hotel will be built on a Private Public Partnership.

The project is set to have a six-lane training track, four fields, a swimming pool, hostel , strength and recovery room among others.

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