Ugandan authorities have vowed to pursue the planned extension of a road linking Lamwo district to South Sudan despite a dispute over the section where construction has stalled.

The road, being undertaken by Nabet Construction Limited, is part of a government-funded infrastructure project intended to improve connectivity between communities in northern Uganda and South Sudan.

The project covers the Corner Ogwec-Tenten-Awenoliyo-Lubone route and is expected to provide a first-class murram road to improve transport, trade and access to markets along the Uganda-South Sudan border.

The Ugandan government allocated about shs1.3 billion for the road project under the Rural Development and Food Security for Northern Uganda (RUDSEC) programme, which is supported by the Government of Germany through KfW in partnership with the government of Uganda.

Work on the Ugandan side has progressed to bush clearing, with the road currently awaiting grading and the application of murram before further construction activities can proceed.

However, implementation of the cross-border section has been complicated by a disagreement with South Sudan authorities over the location of the road works.

According to Lamwo district authorities, the contractor had worked for about 24 kilometers towards the South Sudan side before being stopped by authorities there.

South Sudan authorities reportedly contend that the section where the contractor stopped falls within their territory and that further works cannot proceed without clearance from the relevant authorities in South Sudan.

The dispute has left the planned extension of the road uncertain as the two sides seek to resolve the matter through engagement.

Lamwo Resident District Commissioner William Komakech and LC5 chairperson Oyet Sisto Ocen were among the Ugandan officials who attempted to engage their counterparts in South Sudan over the matter.

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However, a planned joint meeting reportedly failed to take place after the South Sudan commissioner communicated that he could not cross into Uganda without permission from his superiors.

The Ugandan delegation remained at the Awenoliyo border post, while the South Sudan authorities reportedly stopped at Lubone, leaving the two sides unable to hold the proposed meeting.

Komakech said Uganda would make another attempt to engage South Sudan authorities to resolve the territorial and administrative concerns surrounding the road.

He said the government remained committed to pursuing the project and finding a way to address the concerns that have affected construction on the cross-border section.

Kilama Peterson, a sociologist working with Nabet Construction Limited, said the contractor requires adequate security to facilitate the smooth completion of the road works.

He said security would be important in enabling workers and equipment to operate safely, particularly given the road’s location near the international border.

The road is one of several infrastructure investments secured by Lamwo district under the RUDSEC programme.

According to Oyet, Lamwo secured four key infrastructure projects under the programme, comprising three roads and the rehabilitation of Agoro market.

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Other road projects include the Olebi-Lelabul Road, which includes the construction of Nyimur Bridge, and the Laguri-Padibe West-Oget Road, linking Lamwo and Kitgum districts.

The Corner Ogwec-Tenten road, however, has attracted particular attention because of its strategic connection towards South Sudan.

District leaders say completion of the road would reduce transport costs, improve access to markets and enable farmers to transport agricultural produce more easily.

For residents living along the route, the road has long been a challenge, particularly during the rainy season when sections become difficult for vehicles and motorcycles to access.

Farmers say poor road conditions increase the cost of transporting produce and sometimes prevent traders and vehicles from reaching rural communities.

Boda boda operators have also complained about frequent motorcycle breakdowns caused by rough and impassable sections.

The planned upgrade to first-class murram is therefore expected to improve movement of people and goods while reducing maintenance costs for road users.

The road also forms part of wider efforts to strengthen economic links between northern Uganda and neighboring South Sudan, where communities on both sides depend on cross-border movement and trade.

Lamwo district authorities have urged residents to cooperate with the contractor, protect construction equipment and respect road reserves as work progresses.

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They also called for continued dialogue between Ugandan and South Sudan authorities to resolve the disagreement over the cross-border section. The district has not yet announced when the next engagement with South Sudan authorities will take place.

Meanwhile, the road section on the Ugandan side remains bush-cleared and awaits grading and the laying of murram as authorities work to address the issues affecting the wider cross-border extension section.