UGX 6.5Bn roads commissioned in Buliisa district

Buliisa, Uganda |  THE INDEPENDENT  |  Three major roads in the Buliisa District have been commissioned. The 6.5 Billion Shillings roads were rehabilitated under the Albertine Region Sustainable Development Project-ARSDP in Buliisa district.

The project is a multi-sectoral plan that is being implemented for 5 years in the region. It is aimed at improving regional and local access to infrastructure, market and skills development in the Albertine region.   

In 2016, the government received funding from the World Bank to upgrade 30.4km of roads to first-class Murram in Buliisa. The roads include the 10.7km Ngwedu-Ndandamire -Bikongoro, 10.8Km Buliisa-Bugana and 8.9Km Biiso-Nyeyeremya-Waaki all in Kigwera and Biiso sub-counties respectively.   

On Thursday, the roads were commissioned by Betty Kamya, the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development.  Kamya noted that the project was initiated by the government as a result of the oil discovery in the region.

According to Kamya, the improvement in the infrastructure in the region will generate high revenue and overall economic development.

Kamya said that the discovery of oil in the Albertine is a big opportunity not only for the country but also for the community in the region. She asked the leaders to help the residents to prepare to tap into the opportunities accruing from the natural resource.

Norah Bigirwa, the Buliisa Woman MP tasked both the contractor and the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development to provide full accountability for the road project.  

Bigirwa also tasked the people of Buliisa to ensure that they set up sustainable businesses as a result of the road construction. 

Stephen Mukitale, the Buliisa County Member of Parliament asked the Uganda National Roads Authority-UNRA to take over the roads because the district has no capacity of maintaining them.

Sunday Wandera, a resident of Kigwera North East Cell in Kigwera Sub County says the construction of the roads will help boost trade in the area. He says initially the roads were impassable making it hard for them to access markets, schools and health centres.     

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