Amuru District local government has started rehabilitating 56.6 kilometres
of community access roads that were devastated by heavy rains that ravaged the
district and Acholi sub-region last year.
Over 200 km of roads were left in sorry states following the heavy torrential
rain that was received last year.
Michael Lakony, the Amuru LCV Chairperson says they have started with the
rehabilitation of the 35km Parabongo-Guru guru- State farm-Okalo cwan-Okojo to
Apaa road, 8km Amoyokuma-Acoto to Bol Atero and 4km Moroli to Pacilo road in
the first phase of the rehabilitation exercise.
Lakony says that they have also earmarked another 81.5km community access roads
to be rehabilitated in the second phase which will begin when the current
rehabilitation nears completion. The roads include 20.5km
Alii-Layima to Apaa Junction, 16.3km Olam Nyungu to Ceri, 10.4km Pacilo-Gunya
to Pongdwongo, 8km Corner pa Lutoko to Parabongo, 12.3km Pyelamot-Restore Leadership
Academy to Lacor Seminary, and 14km Otwee Health Center III – Ded to Lajago.
Lakony notes that the roads are being maintained by the Ministry of
Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries under the Agricultural Cluster
Development Project-ACDP. According to Lakony, upon completion, the
roads should be able to connect farmers to markets and other social services
within the community saying several members of the community have failed to
sell their produce due to the state of the roads.
//Cue in: “this is the road
Cue out:…project pick”//.
Christopher Ojara, a resident of Corner pa Lutoko in Lamogi Sub County says
access to Parabongo is very difficult due to the deep potholes on the road due
to the heavy rains and also the big trucks carrying charcoal which use the
road.
Ojara says they are forced to move for over 15 kilometres moving through Awer
to access Parabongo trading center.
Patrick Oringa, a resident of Alii in Amuru Sub County says he broke his leg
following a road accident when he slid and fell while trying to dodge a truck
which was also dodging potholes on the road. He says that transport fares have
also increased from 10,000 Shillings, 15,000 to 20,000 Shillings to access Apaa
Junction.
Michael Ojok is a multi-channel reporter based in Gulu district (Northern Uganda). He is interested in humanitarian stories, culture, conflict, peace, environment, health and education.