Roads equipment for districts arrive

Chief Mechanical Engineer Tony Kavuma (left) and Minister of Works and Transport  Monica Azuba Ntege (second left) inspecting 1,151 road construction equipment to be distributed to 115 districts in Uganda, the equipment are being assembled at Bweyogerere. PHOTOS/Tony Rujuta.

The first batch of road construction equipment including excavators, graders, bulldozers and wheel loaders imported from Japan have arrived.

The ministry of works and transport will distribute the equipment to 115 districts across the country starting next month, under a financing arrangement with the Japanese government.

 
At a cost of $155m (about sh556b), a total 1,151 pieces of equipment purchased from Komatsu Ltd will be shared by districts the Uganda National Roads Authority, Kampala Capital City Authority, MT. Elgon Labour Based Training Centre in Mbale and the works ministry.

Works minister, Eng Monica Azuba Ntege inspected the deliveries on Thursday. She said the new equipment will be used by districts and other government agencies for road maintenance works.

"Each district will get five units including a wheel loader, grader, bowser and two dumper trucks," the minister explained.

The machines will be delivered in phases over a 12-month period up to March 2018.