Premier Nabbanja reveals plans for Namagumba-Budadiri-Nalugugu road works

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Construction Works of the Namagumba-Budadiri and Nalugugu circular roads measuring up to 39km are set to kick start in two months, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja revealed. 

The Premier made the revelation on Friday while addressing hundreds during Sironko district women's day celebrations at Mafudu primary school in Sironko district.

Several residents and district leadership expressed excitement after the revelation while others remained skeptical since the contractors' camp had been abandoned for months. 

"I am very aware that Construction of this circular road has taken a long time but the good news is that chines contractors who won the tender of Construction and works will be starting in two months, " Nabanja said.

"I am also appealing to those residents still residing in the mapped out places where the road is to be constructed to vacate and pave the way for Construction works to kick start " she added.

Nabanja also revealed that Construction works took a long time to start due to a lack of funds to compensate the persons displaced by the project.

"The biggest challenge is that the money that government is going to use to compensate the affected families is much more than the money spent on the construction of the road itself, " Nabanja said.

The Namagumba-Budadiri-Nalugugu Road (39km) Upgrading Project is aligned with Uganda's Vision 2040 as it seeks to harness the Country's potential growth opportunities in agriculture, tourism, strategic geographical location, and trade.

The Project will support the Government in achieving its development priorities as outlined in the 3rd National Development Plan (NDP-III) 2020-2025 of Vision 2040.

The project has been discussed extensively with the key development partners active in the sector, including the World Bank (WB), the European Union (EU), and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The three development partners are active members of the development partners' transport sector working group in Uganda.

The project entails the construction of the Namagumba-Budadiri-Nalugugu road and associated town roads totaling 39km to bituminous standards. It has been packaged broadly into seven main procurement components.

The overall project cost is estimated at USD77.74 million, including compensation and resettlement costs (net of taxes). It will be implemented over the period 2022-2027 for 5 years.

Nabanja said that the road project will contribute to building resilience in the beneficiary districts by expanding livelihood opportunities and improving the socioeconomic well-being of the people—particularly women, youth, and persons with disabilities.

Prime Minister Robinah Nabanjja joining in the dance during belated women's day celebrations at Mafudu primary school.

She called upon residents in Sironko district to take advantage of technical institutes by taking there their children to get skilled and trained so that they can be able to create employment.

"Construction of two promised memorial institutes in the names of James Wapakhabulo and Dan Nabudere is taking shape and I am appealing to parents to take advantage of them by taking their children," Nabanja said.

Budadiri East Member of Parliament Isaiah Ssasaga appealed to the government to expedite the process of the Project's development whose objective is to improve transport access in the area, thereby linking the population with economic opportunities both in Sironko district and elsewhere.

He said that the Specific objectives of the proposed Project are twofold to improve accessibility in eastern Uganda to spur diversification of economic opportunities, thereby facilitating a transition from subsistence farming to cash-cropping and entrepreneurship.

Adding that it will reduce the physical burden of transport on the community, particularly for women in the area, and widen the participation of women and youth in gainful employment.

Sasaga also appealed to the government to construct more Seed schools in the Sironko district, adding that the Sironko district has 29 sub-counties without seed schools.

"Lack of seed schools in these 29 sub-counties is affected the education sector and also encouraging high drop out due to challenge of difficult terrains," Sasaga said.

He also called upon the government to support the only girls' school in Sironko Budadiri girls' school, adding the Catholic-founded and government-aided school is in bad shape.

He also challenged the government to support the completion of the Mbale diocese church of Uganda Cathdraw.

State minister for Karamoja affairs Florence Nambozo said that the Project Road is in eastern Uganda on the slopes of Mount Elgon in the Sironko district, with an estimated population of 0.5 million residents expected to benefit from the intervention directly.

"First, the district has high agricultural potential and It is famous for Arabica coffee, bananas, Irish potatoes, and abundant fresh milk," Nambozo said.

"All the products are sought after by traders from Kampala and across the border in Kenya Hence, it is estimated that the road intervention shall indirectly impact up to 1.2 million people," she added.

Nambozo said that the second key economic activity in the area is tourism, adding that Improved access to Mt. Elgon National Park and Sipi Falls is expected to attract more tourists.

The main Project-related outcomes will improve tourism earnings, increase farm gate prices of agricultural produce, increase job opportunities for women and youth, and improve access to social amenities like schools and health centres in remote communities in the area.

She also thanked the government for development programmes that are being in the Sironko district, adding that most of the mothers have embraced them to eradicate poverty in their households.