By Stanley Ebele
Kotido district is set to benefit from the Shs300M road construction project, under Uganda Climate Smart Agriculture Transformational project implemented by the ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.
The development was confirmed by the Kotido district LCV Chairman, Paul Lote Komol in an interview with Etoil A Karamoja.
The six year project funded by World Bank, is aimed increasing agricultural productivity, market access and resilience of select value chains and to respond promptly and effectively to an eligible crisis or emergency in the in 69 beneficiaries districts.
The project comprises of five interlinked components which include strengthening Climate Smart Agriculture, Seed and Agro-climate information System and promoting adaptation of Smart Climate-Agricultural Technologies and Practices, and Market Development and Linkages of the selected value chains.
Among the beneficiary districts are Iganga, Mayuge, Buyende, Kamuli and Kaliro in Busoga sub-region, Budaka, Butaleja, Kibuku and Pallisa in Bukedi sub-region.
Others are Bukedea, Kaberamaido, Katakwi, Kumi, Ngora, Serere and Kalaki in Teso sub-region, Abim, Kaabong, Kotido, Nakapiripirit, Napak and Moroto in Karamoja sub-region.
Komol said that Kotido district is set to receive Shs300M from the World Bank next financial year to construct access roads in green belts of Kanalobai, Lobonya and Kopor in Kacheri sub-county, Lotanyat in Kapeta sub-county and Kangorok in Kamor sub-county.
He explained that the road construction project is not only expected to boost transportation but also improve access to markets, thereby bolstering the district’s economic activities.
“Investing in the road infrastructure, the district authorities anticipate a profound impact on trade and agriculture, improved roads translate to quicker and more efficient movement of goods, stimulating trade activities,” Komol said.
According to him, the challenges people living in those green belts have been facing in accessing social services such as markets, schools and health facilities due to poor roads will be no more.
Aquilino Loyo Abong, the Councilor North Division, also a farmer in Lobanya settlement in Kacheri welcomed the development saying the budget will solve the challenge of poor roads faced by the farmers in rural areas which has led to high costs of transport due to bad roads.
Abong noted that besides road infrastructure, the farmers in his area also lack better storage facilities, urging the ministry of agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries to invest in the construction of storage facilities across the country to address the problem of post-harvest losses.
