On Friday, April 4, 2025, Minister of Local Government Raphael Magezi officially commissioned a new grader that is expected to significantly improve road maintenance efforts in Lira City.
During the commissioning, Minister Magezi praised the Lira City Council for prioritizing infrastructure development, noting that councillors went without pay for two months to ensure funds were allocated for the grader purchase.
“I am impressed by the commitment of the local leaders. The councillors chose to forego their allowances so that this vital machine could be bought. That is true leadership,” Magezi said.
The minister announced that the Ministry of Local Government would provide additional funding to improve road networks in the four-year-old city.
He also urged residents and leaders to monitor the grader’s proper use and report any instances of misuse.
Magezi informed the public of President Yoweri Museveni’s intention, through the Ministry of Local Government, to clear arrears for Local Council I officials, increase emoluments, and address other financial concerns through a supplementary budget.
He emphasized the importance of accountability, peace, and the successful implementation of the Parish Development Model (PDM).
He also urged parents to invest in education, citing Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng as a role model for young people.
Meanwhile, Lira City Town Clerk Vincent Okurut revealed that the grader was purchased with locally raised funds from the city’s two divisions, East and West, which each contributed shs150 million. However, The total cost of the grader amounted to shs1.1 billion, City authorities say.
Okurut stated that Lira City’s geographical area has grown sevenfold since it was elevated to city status, now covering 184 square kilometers.
He expressed confidence that the new grader would assist the city in working on 401 kilometers of roads as planned for the current fiscal year. So far, only 19 kilometers have been completed using funds from the Youth Mutz project.
He added that, while the city frequently uses locally generated revenue to fund street lighting, the funds are insufficient, and urged the Minister to advocate for increased central government support.
Lira City Mayor Sam Atul also welcomed the grader’s commissioning, saying it represents a watershed moment in the city’s infrastructure development.
“Some people doubted our ability to acquire such a machine, but here it is today,” he said.
He announced plans to allocate funds for the purchase of a road roller in the next financial year. Additionally, the Division Mayors of City East and City West pledged to contribute shs50 million each toward the purchase of water bowsers to support road construction and maintenance.
Mayor Atul further appealed to the central government to consider granting the city special funding and explore low-interest loans from the Uganda Development Bank to support development projects.
In her remarks, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, the Woman Member of Parliament for Lira City, applauded the idea of involving technical experts in road projects.
She emphasized that such collaboration helps to avoid unnecessary damage and ensures proper planning in road construction.
By Regina Lalam Olal
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