MoLG Signs Contracts to Rehabilitate 139km of Community Access Roads in Northern Uganda
By Kyeyune Ali
The Ministry of Local Government (MoLG) has signed contracts for the rehabilitation of 139 kilometres of district and community access roads across nine districts under the Rural Development for Food Security in Northern Uganda (RUDSEC) Project.
Construction is expected to begin next week following the official handover of project sites, marking a significant step towards improving rural connectivity, agricultural productivity and service delivery in Northern and Eastern Uganda.
The rehabilitation works will benefit the districts of Lamwo, Agago, Pader, Dokolo, Lira, Oyam, Serere, Soroti and Kaberamaido by enhancing accessibility, mobility and connectivity. The improved road network is expected to facilitate agricultural production and commercialization while easing access to markets and essential public services.
Speaking during the contract signing ceremony, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Local Government, Ben Kumumanya, described reliable road infrastructure as a key driver of Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.
“Agri-industrialization is central to Uganda’s journey towards middle-income status. That transformation begins with motorability and accessibility through roads, which facilitate trade, service delivery and other development activities,” Kumumanya said.
The rehabilitation programme will cover several roads across the beneficiary districts, including the 15-kilometre Agago–Kalongo–Lomoi Road (Section A) and the 14.9-kilometre Agago–Kalongo–Lomoi Road (Section B) in Agago District.
Other roads include the 21.6-kilometre Lamwo–Corner Ogwec–Tenten Road in Lamwo District, the 18-kilometre Puranga–Ogonyo–Achola Stream Road in Pader District, and the 16.3 kilometres of Agweng–Barlonyo and Akano–Lwala roads in Lira District.
The project will also rehabilitate the 12.7-kilometre Alwimac–Awiri–Asalim Road in Dokolo District, the 12.8-kilometre Ochero–Bugoi Road in Kaberamaido District, the 13.5-kilometre Atirir–Orungo Border Road in Soroti District, and the 14.9 kilometres of Serere Upper Shops–Akoboi and Kamod–Otimong–Akobi roads in Serere District.
According to the Ministry, the project extends beyond road rehabilitation, serving as a strategic investment in decentralization, improved service delivery, local economic development and enhanced livelihoods. Improved transport infrastructure is expected to create greater opportunities for farming communities by increasing access to markets, healthcare, education and other essential services.
Kumumanya urged contractors to deliver quality infrastructure while upholding integrity, transparency and professionalism throughout project implementation. He also called on them to work closely with district local governments, prioritize local communities in employment opportunities and ensure environmental protection during construction.
The RUDSEC Project is a rural infrastructure and agricultural development initiative implemented by the Ministry of Local Government with funding from the Government of Uganda and the German Government through KfW Development Bank. The project aims to increase agricultural incomes and improve food security among smallholder farmers by enhancing rural infrastructure and strengthening market access.