Economist welcome move to build roads into DRC

Economists have welcomed Uganda's move to build about 1,200kms of roads into the Democratic Republic Congo (DRC), saying it will ease the movement of goods and persons.

Ramathan Ggoobi, an economics lecturer at the Makerere University Business School said exports to the DRC whose GDP is twice that of Uganda can help Uganda grow its industry.

"We can build a formidable industry by exporting to the DRC," Ggoobi said.

Members of the Uganda Manufactures Association also support government's move to improve the road and other infrastructure that connects Uganda with the DRC.

Some MPs welcome the decision to build the roads, however they have raised concerns about building roads into the DRC when some roads in Uganda are in bad condition.

President Yoweri Museveni has cautioned MPs against making reckless statements that can negatively impact on the relation between and its neighbours.

Museveni said by building the road Uganda stands to gain more from trade and improved security with the DRC.

He said the roads will not only be used by Ugandans but also people from the DRC.

Gen. Edward Katumba, Minister of works and transport said Ugandans were taking five days to drive goods in to the DRC, for roads that could take eight hours.

Katumba said improved roads can lead to improved trade and security.

Traders have also expressed concerns about the presence of rebel groups that take advantage of poor roads and poor infrastructure to disrupt the flow of goods.

DRC is a key and strategic trading partner of Uganda with a huge market of more than 80m people and presents enormous opportunities for our people.

Some of the roads Uganda will build are from Goli, along the border to Mahagi-Bunia. Then the other road would be from Mpondwe to Beni.

The other roads are from Bunagana to Rutshuru to Goma.

Some of Uganda's exports to DRC include; cement, scholastic materials, building materials, blankets, foods and beverages.

DRC has plenty of minerals that Uganda imports including gold for processing in Uganda's gold refineries.