Gen. Katumba Wamala calls for viable roads’ linkage to neighbouring states.
The Minister of Works and Transport Gen. Katumba Wamala has likened Uganda’s geographical location and her economic strategic development to ‘a roundabout’ in the region.
Gen. Wamala also called for the construction of viable road networks interlinked to all neighbouring districts, to boost its economic growth.
“Uganda is like a roundabout in terms of trade in this region. It has to be accessible by distance by building excellent and viable roads to all borderlines,” Gen. Katumba said.
Gen. Katumba Wamala was speaking on Wednesday, as the guest of honour during the launch of a 31 km road upgrade in Okwang town council, Otuke County in Otuke district.
Minister Katumba Wamala also noted that the army has been able to participate in various development activities in the country, like road construction and other key infrastructural development, because of the prevailing peace.
“Participation of the army in building national infrastructure is good as there is no more war and the human resource has to be kept busy in other fields,” he noted.
MP. Omara Paul of Otuke County said the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Baralegi-Okwang-Agweng road is under shs1 million and was approved by the Parliament for all the districts in the country.
He added that as chairperson of Otuke district roads committee, a total of 31 km of road is in Okwang Town Council, while the entire district has 194 km of road to be worked on.
MP Omara revealed that 24 different roads shall be upgraded to help in boosting the development of the local community.
Earlier, Dick Erick Okello, Okwang Town Council Mayor (LC3 chairperson) said Okwang deserves to have some tamack to help businesses.
In his response, Minister Katumba “joked” and asked him “to talk well with Hon. Omara Paul”. But, he noted that tarmac is possible if there is proof of production.
The RDC of Otuke, Robert Adyama told the General that there is a need for some security roads from boarding districts like Kapyelebong, and Abim to Agago to secure the lives of people from cattle warriors.
By Arao Denis