Bunyoro to receive Shs360b
The Hoima-Kaiso-Tonya road which leads to oil sites in Hoima District. Photo by Francis Mugerwa
What you need to know:
The funds are meant to develop infrastructure along the oil-rich belt.
Hoima- The oil-rich Bunyoro sub-region will this year get several infrastructural projects.
The Bunyoro affairs state minister, Mr Ernest Kiiza, said the region will benefit from a $145 million loan (Shs360 billion) that government has secured from the World Bank.
Mr Kiiza said the money will be used in implementing the Albertine region sustainable development project which will be coordinated by his ministry.
He said implementation of the infrastructural projects will commence in July this year.
“Government will spend $95 million (Shs247 billion) to upgrade the Kabwooya-Kyenjojo road from murram to tarmac,” Mr Kiiza said, while interfacing with Bunyoro Kingdom officials recently.
He said Hoima and Buliisa districts will also benefit from a World Bank-funded physical planning and infrastructural development project. Under the project, he said, government will spend $25 million (Shs65 billion) to support the districts to get more access roads, water facilities, electricity, beautification and planning.
“An additional $20 million (Shs52 billion) will be spent on skills development,” Mr Kiiza said.
According to the minister, under the Skills Development Programme, government will improve facilities at Kigumba Petroleum Institute to enable it produce skilled manpower that is relevant in the oil and gas industry.
Part of the money will also be invested in Kicwamba Technical College.
Mr Kiiza was part of the multi sectoral government team that toured the 92-kilometre Hoima-Kaiso-Tonya road last Friday that is being tamacked by Turkish firm - Kolin Construction Ltd.
The road links Hoima, a regional administrative town, to Kaiso-Tonya area where Tullow Oil discovered oil deposits.
Developments in bunyoro
Projects: Bunyoro has been getting oil related infrastructural projects after commercially viable oil reserves were discovered on the shores of Lake Albert.
Dam construction: Construction of Kabalega hydro power dam along River Wambabya in Hoima District commenced at $38.8 million (Shs100 billion).
Refinery underway: Construction of Karuma hydro power dam is underway in Kiryandongo District. Efforts to secure 29sq kms of land for a refinery in Hoima are also underway.
