EU gives govt sh100b to seal, rehabilitate rural roads

Mar 08, 2019

The four districts of Adjumani, Abim, Moyo and Amudat will pilot the programme

European Union has given the government of Uganda £25m (sh100b) to implement a low-cost seal technology project for low volume roads in 17 districts in the northern region under the Development Initiative for Northern Uganda (DINU) programme.

The revelation was made by Dr Anania Mbabazi a road infrastructure specialist during a policymakers' labour-based technology awareness workshop at Hursey Resort Hotel in Soroti district.

The programme is funded under the eleventh European Development Fund (EDF11) that will cover districts in Teso, West Nile, Acholi and Lango, funded by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF).

The four districts of Adjumani, Abim, Moyo and Amudat will pilot the programme and it will support sectors under two major activities in the rehabilitation, food security and upgrading of priority district and community access roads within four priority districts.

Mbabazi said that the five-year programme will also cater for the training in maintenance and appealed to stakeholders to closely monitor and account for any money spent.

"In this country accountability and monitoring of government programme is still a big challenge. The programme will be implemented by Mt Elgon labour based training centre under the guidance of ministry of works and transport," Mbabazi said.

He said that poverty is still high in the northern region because of the poor state of the roads and high unemployment levels, adding that 400km will be worked on in the piloting districts.

Robert Lwanga, the commissioner of roads and bridges in the works ministry, said that low-cost sealing for low volume roads was introduced in Uganda in 2010.

"There need for the sealing of roads stems from the fact that good quality gravel is depleting and yet the natural renewal process is slow," Lwanga said.

He said that the use of locally available materials for the sealing of roads has been identified as key in reducing the costs of construction.

Lwanga also delivered minister for works and transport, Monica Azuba Ntege's speech in which she hailed the European Union for its continued financial support to the government of Uganda that has contributed towards consolidating stability, eradication of poverty and under-nutrition.

"This will strengthen the foundation for sustainable and inclusive social-economic development in Northern Uganda," Azuba said.

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