NATIONAL NEWS , Monday, March 2, 2015 3

GRAPHIC BY BRIAN SSEKAMATTE - Road project

Bushenyi Kigarama Ishaka

Mbarara

Mitoma

Kagamba KEY

Ntungamo Road under construction District Headquarters Mungenyi Towns Chondo Rubaare Roads Museveni fl agging off the construction of bypass on Friday. Photo by Abdulkarim Ssengendo

MBARARA PROJECT

This involves reconstruction of the Mbarara- section Museveni launches of the northern corridor route, reconstruction of the 13.8km Mbarara bypass and an access more road works road of about 1.29km. road infrastructure development in annually and that the biggest part of the project resources are not stolen. Byabagambi By Abdulkarim Ssengendo ,” the President said. money was from the Government. called on the contractor to complete the and Edward Anyoli The Mbarara bypass is He reminded them of some project on time. expected to be complete in of some of the road projects Speaking at the event, Ficcarelli and the President over the weekend April 2016. The contract that have been funded by the EIB deputy head’s representative, pledged to commissioned the construction of the was awarded to China Government, such as the increase their efforts in the transport sector, Mbarara bypass. He challenged residents to Railway Seventh Group, Mbarara-Kikagate road and and announced 200 million euros to support take advantage of the improved infrastructure China. -Masaka, which Uganda’s transport sector, until 2020. to develop their area and improve their The launch of the road, were completed. The Ishaka- They would also offer possible additional household incomes. which attracted hundreds Kagamba road is still under loans from the EIB, depending on the Museveni thanked the European Union of people, especially construction, while the bankability of the projects presented. (EU) for the support to his government and from Ankole sub-region, tarmacking of Bwizibwera- They called for a strong multi-modality the transport sector in particular. The project, took place at Kyamugorani Nyakambu-Kabwohe-Nsiika transport policy, plus enhanced transparency he noted, will reduce traffi c congestion Church of Uganda. The EU road will kick off in July this year. and accountability in the way public works in Mbarara town and also lead to the delegation’s fi rst counsellor, Byabagambi The 80km Mbarara-Kikagate road, are tendered, contracted and implemented. development of the area. Giorgio Ficcarelli and EIB worth sh200b is an alternative access On Friday, the President launched the The project will cost about sh160b and is deputy head’s representative, route to Tanzania. construction of the Kamwenge- being fi nanced by the European Investment attended. Museveni said the Government would road, with a call to the people of the area to Bank (EIB), the Government and the EU. The project excited residents, who asked equip districts with modern equipment to stop land fragmentation. The European Investment Bank is providing Museveni to get investors to set up factories in rehabilitate and maintain all district roads. “You should not disable land by using sh128b loan, while the Government will the area. Andrew Mugume, the LC1 chairman He advised the people of Ankole to engage the old cultural practice of inheritance. That provide the remaining amount for the works of Kakyenkye cell, which lies along the in commercial farming, and also warned them creates bad human settlement,” he said contract. The European Union is providing a bypass, said their land has since gained value. against land fragmentation, a practice he said during the ceremony, which took place at grant of sh5.4b for work supervision. Mbarara Bypass is part of the northern would affect their development. Bigodi trading centre, Kibaale county in corridor route, which starts at Malaba/Busia . FUNDING and ends at Katuna in south western Uganda. Addressing a rally at Bigodi Primary School The Ministry of Works and Transport, with ROAD FUND playground, Museveni urged residents to support from the EU and other partners, use modern farming practices and to take The project is being funded embarked on the rehabilitation of the northern advantage of Operation Wealth Creation, a corridor route. Museveni said the Road Fund countrywide poverty eradication campaign. by the European Investment The Mbarara bypass project includes the The 66km project, also undertaken by reconstruction of the Mbarara-Ntungamo budget had increased to sh2,300b China Railway Seventh Engineering Group, Bank, the Government and the section of the northern corridor route, is co-funded by the Government and the reconstruction of the 13.8km Mbarara bypass annually and that the biggest International Development Agency, at European Union and an access road of about 1.29km long. sh120b. The project will also include construction part of the money is from the The route forms part of the national road of the new Rwizi River bridge, installation of network, which links Nyakahita-Kazo- “I thank the European Union for the road safety equipment, including horizontal Government. Ibanda-Kamwenge and Fort Portal. support. They have been co-operative in the and vertical markings, gateway signs, rumble The road connects western Uganda to development of other roads and bridges in strips, speed humps and speeds limits. the Northern Corridor, as well as to the the country. These include the construction Works minister John Byabagambi said a Museveni also warned rich people in Democratic Republic of Congo, via the Fort of Aswa bridge in Gulu district, Awoja bridge fl yover will be constructed on the Mbarara- Mbarara involved in the illegal eviction of Portal-Bundibugyo-Lamia road. in Soroti, the Masaka-Mbarara and Mbarara- road to prevent accidents. people from their land, to stop it. The Kamwenge-Fort Portal road traverses Ntungamo-Katuna roads. Museveni told the people of Mbarara that Byabagambi hailed Uganda’s relationship important tourism and environmentally The Government and the people of the Government is committed to improving with the European Union. sensitive areas, which include several crater Uganda are grateful for the support. We the country’s road network. He said the Road He called on the communities along the lakes, Kibaale National Park and Kibaale trust that the EU will continue to support Fund budget had increased to sh2,300b road to support the contractor by ensuring the Forest Reserve.