Lamwo district is among nine districts set to benefit from a major government rural roads rehabilitation programme that officials say will improve access to markets, strengthen agricultural production and accelerate socio-economic development in northern Uganda.
Under the Rural Development for Food Security in Northern Uganda (RUDSEC) Project, the 21.6-kilometre Lamwo–Corner Ogwec–Tenten Road will be rehabilitated, providing a critical transport link for farming communities that have for years struggled with poor road conditions, especially during the rainy season.
The project forms part of a wider initiative by the Ministry of Local Government to rehabilitate 139 kilometres of district and community access roads across Lamwo, Agago, Pader, Dokolo, Lira, Oyam, Serere, Soroti and Kaberamaido districts.
Following the signing of contracts between the Ministry and the successful contractors, construction works are expected to commence after the official handover of project sites.
For Lamwo, where more than three-quarters of households depend on agriculture for their livelihoods, the rehabilitation of the Lamwo–Corner Ogwec–Tenten Road is expected to significantly reduce transport costs, improve access to markets and public services, and stimulate local economic activity.
The road serves communities engaged in the production of simsim, groundnuts, beans, cassava, sorghum, maize and other food crops, while also linking residents to schools, health centres and trading centres within the district.
Welcoming the project, the Minister of State for Economic Monitoring, Beatrice Akello, described the road rehabilitation programme as a strategic investment that will unlock economic opportunities for rural communities.
She said improved road infrastructure remains one of the key drivers of agricultural transformation because it enables farmers to transport produce to markets more efficiently while reducing post-harvest losses and transport costs.
Akello noted that better roads also improve access to education, healthcare and government services, thereby enhancing the quality of life for rural households.
She urged contractors to execute quality work that meets the required engineering standards and called upon district leaders, technical officers and local communities to work together in safeguarding the project throughout implementation.
Speaking during the contract signing ceremony, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Ben Kumumanya, said the investment reflects the government’s commitment to improving rural infrastructure as a foundation for inclusive economic growth.
He emphasised that agriculture remains central to Uganda’s socio-economic transformation and that improving road infrastructure is essential for connecting producers to markets, attracting investment and strengthening service delivery.
“Agri-industrialisation 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.
He challenged contractors to deliver quality infrastructure with integrity, professionalism and transparency while working closely with district local governments throughout the implementation process.
The Permanent Secretary also directed contractors to prioritise employment opportunities for local residents and ensure that environmental protection measures are observed during construction.
Besides Lamwo district, the rehabilitation programme will cover several strategic roads across Northern and Eastern Uganda.
In Agago district, works will be undertaken on the Agago–Kalongo–Lomoi Road, divided into two sections measuring 15 kilometres and 14.9 kilometres.
In Pader district, contractors will rehabilitate the 18-kilometre Puranga–Ogonyo–Achola Stream Road, which connects farming communities to major trading centres.
Lira district will benefit from the rehabilitation of the Agweng–Barlonyo and Akano–Lwala roads covering a combined 16.3 kilometres, while Dokolo district will receive improvements on the 12.7-kilometre Alwimac–Awiri–Asalim Road.
The programme also includes the 12.8-kilometre Ochero–Bugoi Road in Kaberamaido district, the 13.5-kilometre Atirir–Orungo Border Road in Soroti district, and the Serere Upper Shops–Akoboi together with the Kamod–Otimong–Akobi roads in Serere district, covering a combined 14.9 kilometres.
Government officials say these investments are expected to improve mobility, reduce travel time, strengthen rural trade and create better opportunities for farmers to participate in commercial agriculture.
The rehabilitation programme is also expected to improve access to education and healthcare services by making it easier for teachers, health workers and other public servants to reach remote communities throughout the year.
The RUDSEC Project is jointly implemented by the Ministry of Local Government with funding from the Government of Uganda and the German Government through KfW Development Bank.
Beyond road rehabilitation, the programme seeks to improve food security and household incomes by supporting agricultural commercialization through better rural infrastructure.
The initiative is designed to enhance connectivity between production areas, storage facilities, processing centres and markets, enabling smallholder farmers to earn more from their produce while reducing losses associated with poor transport networks.
For Lamwo district, whose economy is largely driven by agriculture and cross-border trade with neighbouring South Sudan, improved road infrastructure is expected to strengthen local economic resilience and attract further public and private investment.
As construction gets underway, local leaders have expressed optimism that the rehabilitation of the Lamwo–Corner Ogwec–Tenten Road will not only transform transport but also improve livelihoods by opening up rural communities to new economic opportunities.
They have, however, called for close supervision of the works to ensure that the roads are built to lasting standards and continue serving communities for many years after completion.
Discover more from tndNews, Uganda
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
