Prime
Kabale receives Shs21b for municipal roadworks
Dr Chris Baryomunsi (left), Bishop Callist Rubaramira (center) and Mr David Bahati (right) together with other officials tour Rushoroza road before it was handed over to the contractor in Kabale Town on Thursday. PHOTO/ROBERT MUHEREZA.
What you need to know:
The construction and tarmacking of these roads has come at the time when Kabale municipality is preparing to receive the city status in 2023. This will add value on the planned beautification programme of the area,” Mr Byamugisha Sentaro, mayor of Kabale municipality.
The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, through its World Bank funded Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) programme, has handed over three roads in Kabale municipality to Multiplex contractors for tarmacking.
The roads include Rushoroza (2.049Kms), Bwankosya (0.76Km) and Bushekwire (0.34 Km).
During the ceremony in Kabale Town on Thursday, the outgoingState Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, said a total of Shs21.7b had been secured for the works.
“The construction and tarmacking of these roads will also include a provision of double arm parking, street lighting, drainage channels and walk ways on both sides. We expect these roads to be completed in a period of one year. The government of Uganda has also provided Shs1.3b for institutional strengthening to the contractor,” Dr Baryomunsi said.
Dr Baryomunsi said the roads were in fulfilment of an outstanding nine-year presidential pledge.
He said his ministry had a challenge in securing the funds f and implored Kabale Municipal Council authorities to put in place a strategic plan to beautify their town as it currently accommodates dilapidated commercial buildings that have been in existence for more than 40 years.
The outgoing State Minister for Planning in the Ministry of Finance, Mr David Bahati, said the construction was supposed to be done three years ago but bureaucracies in the procurement process delayed the project.
“Now that the procurement process was successful, a contractor and consultant are well secured, we expect these roads to be completed in the stipulated time frame. The consultant must ensure that the contractor follows the bills of quantities to ensure value for money,” Mr Bahati said.
The Bishop of Kabale Diocese, Rt Rev Callist Rubaramira, thanked the government for raising the funds to fulfill the presidential pledge and thanked Kabale Municipal Council authorities and the general public for being patient.
“Witnessing the handover of these roads to the contractor is a dream come true. I thank President Museveni and his government for this gesture,” Bishop Rubaramira said.
The mayor of Kabale Municipality, Mr Byamugisha Sentaro, and the town clerk, Mr Deo Ndimo, pledged total support to the project.
“The construction and tarmacking of these roads has come at the time when Kabale Municipality is preparing to receive the city status in 2023. This will add value on the planned beautification programme,” Mr Byamugisha said.
Mr Byamugisha said the technical team shall ensure that environmental concerns are well catered for during and after the construction of the three roads.
He promised that onsite routine inspection and promoting community practices shall be emphasised for the success of the road projects.
The managing director of Multiplex, Mr Moses Bossa, promised to employ local residents in the area so that they can appreciate the development besides using local available materials to boost the incomes of those selling them.
