Museveni commissions multibillion Rwenkunye- Apac- Lira-Puranga road project

President Yoweri Museveni on Wednesday commissioned multi-billion road works for the construction of the 100 km Rwekunyu-Apac-Lira-Puranga road with an original contract price of sh337,526,153,350 and a 36 months projection duration.

Speaking during the ceremony at Anai Primary School outside Lira City, the President said that in planning for development, the government considers priorities.

"Government had to start with the construction of the road from Tororo, Soroti, Kamudini, Pakwach up to Arua to soften the workload on the triangle road network in the region.

The road from Tororo to Kamudini is also going to be done afresh, he said.

The President said the government has invested a lot in infrastructure development and there are a lot more roads to be done to transform the country.

According to Allen Kagina, the Executive Director, Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), the upgrading of Rwenkunye-Apac- Lira - Puranga Road (191km) to paved standard will increase the connectivity in the region and ensure a stable, all-weather connection with the rest of the country.

"The project will contribute towards improving road transportation and trade facilitation along the above-mentioned corridor, this improving transport services and agricultural productivity by connecting remote and disadvantaged districts to the main road network. Therefore, the project will serve to address the central objectives of the government of Uganda, namely, poverty eradication and regional integration," she said.

The government of Uganda represented by UNRA with funding support from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) is implementing the upgrading from gravel to paved (Bitumen) standard of Rwenkunye-Apac-Lira-Puranga Road (191km).

The Rwenkunye-Apac-Lira-Puranga Road project is part of the National Roads Development and Maintenance Programme.

The project will contribute towards improving road transportation and trade facilitation along the above-mentioned corridor, thus improving transport services and agricultural productivity.

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanya said that Uganda has seen many positive changes under the President's good leadership, especially improved road networks.

The Minister of State for Minerals, Peter Lokeris, thanked the President for fulfilling his pledge.

"The work will start. The machines are on ground. We are grateful. Thanks for the development of this country," he said