Construction of a 16.9 km oilseeds road launched in Otuke

On Wednesday, Otuke County Member of Parliament Paul Omara broke ground on the long-awaited 16.9-kilometer oilseeds road in Okwang sub-county.

The event, held at Anik market in Barr Laoko village, Abongo Wer parish, was met with overwhelming enthusiasm by the local community, which warmly welcomed the MP and district leaders.

The OPEC Fund for International Development, IFAD, and the Ugandan government fund the National Oilseeds Project, which benefits dozens of districts.

It has a total budget of $160.68 million (approximately shs593 billion) and will end on September 30, 2028.

The road component aims to improve connectivity and access to essential services in the selected districts.

During the launch, MP Omara, who also serves as chairperson of the District Road Committee, thanked the community for their cooperation in making road improvements that will allow for better service delivery.

“We are very lucky as the people of Otuke to receive this project. Not every district has been able to secure such funding, but through our lobbying efforts, we have brought this development to our community for their betterment,” Omara stated.

He also used the opportunity to announce his intention to run for re-election in 2026 on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ticket, which drew cheers from the audience.

The MP, who previously ran as an independent candidate and won, stated that his time in Parliament has reinforced his belief that working with the ruling party is critical to providing services to the local community.

“I have learned a lot from the trust my voters have placed in me as their Member of Parliament. It is very important to work with the ruling government to bring services closer to the people,” he added.

Omara also stated unequivocally that he intends to retain his seat in Otuke County, urging potential opponents to give him the opportunity to complete his manifesto.

“I want to announce very early that Otuke County is still in the hands of Paul Omara. For those who are willing to come and compete with me, please first give Omara a chance to complete his manifesto,” he stated.

The legislator expressed confidence in winning the NRM primaries and carrying the party flag in the 2026 elections. He revealed that at least eight to nine other candidates have expressed interest in the same seat, but he is undeterred.

“President Kaguta Museveni Tibuhaburwa’s State Lodge is located in my constituency, and this will give me more opportunities to interact with the President at length. I have made up my mind to join the NRM party,” Omara said.

The announcement sets the stage for what looks to be a fiercely competitive race in Otuke County. As the 2026 elections approach, all eyes will be on Omara’s bid to secure the NRM ticket and retain his seat in Parliament.

The 16.9km road project will cover three key routes: Anik market to Ameri village via Abongo Wer Primary School (5km)

Anik market to Adwari via Cung Apenyi and Okore village;

Omony Lee Primary School to Ataa village (5.4km), which borders Agago district.

According to Jimmy Alany Mark, Otuke District Engineer, the project is expected to be completed within eight months. He emphasized the importance of the roads in enhancing transportation for agricultural produce, particularly oil seeds, which are a key economic driver in the region.

Joseph Lomongin, Otuke’s Chief Administrative Officer, urged contractors to deliver quality work and avoid shortcuts. “I want to assure the community that we will not accept substandard work. The technical team will closely monitor the project to ensure it is completed on time and to the required standards.”

Lomongin also called for cooperation between the community and contractors to ensure the project’s timely completion.

The launch of the Oilseeds road project comes as Otuke district prepares to host the national celebration for the rollout of the Oilseeds Road Initiative across 81 districts in the country.

Francis Abola, the Otuke district LC5 chairperson, commended the district’s MPs for their lobbying efforts, noting that the district lacked the financial capacity to upgrade the roads on its own.

“We are grateful to the government, under the leadership of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, for bringing this project to our people. This is a testament to the NRM government’s commitment to development and service delivery,” Otuke district woman MP, Susan Abola said.

George Abdul, the Otuke Resident District Commissioner, praised the NRM government for fostering peace and unity across the country.

He also emphasized the importance of the Parish Development Model (PDM), urging local leaders to avoid exploiting beneficiaries.

“PDM is for the people, and no one should demand money from beneficiaries. Those found doing so will face the full force of the law,” Abdul warned.

The project engineer, Boniface Oyugi, assured the community that the work would be of high quality and delivered on time.