KAMPALA, Uganda–The Ministry of Local Government through the District Livelihood Support programme (DLSP) is overseeing construction or rehabilitation of 776.6 kilometres of roads in 13 districts across the country.
According to the Permanent Secretary, Patrick Mutabwire, these projects are being financed by a loan from the Rome-based International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD). Work is expected to kick off in 2014 to fix these community access roads.
‘The Government of Uganda has received a loan from IFAD to co-finance the District Livelihood Support Promramme in the 13 District in various parts of Uganda parts of this proceeds of the loan is to be utilized for the Rehabilitation of community Access roads in those parts of the country,’ Mutabwire said in statement
He said the government has opened the bidding process for those companies wishing to vie for the tenders to take over the construction tenders.
He said the tendering process is scheduled to end by the beginning of March 2014
‘We have given the intending bidders enough period of time from December to March 5th when the ministry will be signing the contracting with the successful bidders to take over the tenders for the construction of the Community Access roads in those selected districts,’ he stated.
The districts to benefit from the IFAD loan include Bundibugyo, Bugiri, Busia, Kamwenge, Bullisa Kyenjonjo, Luwero, Masindi, Mayuge, Nakaseke, Oyam and Yumbe
The government has been implementing programmes that are aimed at improving infrastructure in several districts.
The main objective is to empower rural communities. By improving community access roads, this will enable farmers in those districts to market their agricultural products more easily.
Farmers across the country often experience the problem of access to markets, because of the impassable roads.
Roads, especially in those places with hilly terrain or in the mountainous regions of Budibungyo in Western Uganda, can prove tricky during the rainy season.
During the financial year 2011/ 2012 the local government ministry managed to rehabilitate or construct 313 kms of community access roads. However the next phase will mark the biggest part of the project.
