Joy as govt completes Soroti-Moroto highway

Government has completed construction of the Soroti-Moroto road.

Construction of the Shs398 billion three-year project commenced in November 2016.

A Chinese Company, China Communication Construction Company Limited (CCCC), was contracted to construct the road.

Previously, travellers spent between 24 and 48 hours travelling from Moroto to Soroti on a muddy road to cover a distance of 175 kilometres. This is no more as it takes less than 24 hours on the newly tarmacked road.

The upgrading of the road has also lowered transport fares to Moroto to Shs20,000 from Shs25,000. The cost of transporting a sack of 100kg of grain on trucks has also dropped from Shs15,000 to Shs10,000.

Mr Jim Yingchao, the chief project engineer of CCCC Limited, said works are complete and they are yet to hand over the road officially so that it is open to the public.

He said they will hand over the road to Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) latest next month.
Mr Yingchao attributed the success of the project to the cooperation by the communities both in Teso and Karamoja.

“As CCCC, we have worked closely with the community, they were so loving, hardworking and we have created friendship with the community of Teso and Moroto,” he said.

CCCC has undertaken major construction works in the country that include Entebbe Expressway, Kiryandongo-Gulu highway via Corner Kamdini and Kazo-Rwakitura road.

Ms Betty Amoding, one of the traders in Katakwi District, said they can now market their produce with ease.

Mr Mark Ssali, the UNRA public relations manager, hailed the contractor for a job well done.
Mr John Ochopa, a bodaboda rider in Katakwi District, said the new road has brought about development in the area.

Mr John Omoding, who benefitted from compensation for his land, boasted of having constructed a descent home from the money he received.

Mr Samuel Aluku, another resident employed by CCCC, said they benefitted from the casual jobs during the road construction and have made savings.

“I have since bought a motorcycle and a small house,” he said.

Mr Joseph Ngorok, a trader in Matany Sub-county in Napak District, said the new road has made it easier for the traders to transport their merchandise from Teso and Bugisu at low prices.