By Mathew Abekson

The construction of the long awaited security roads across Karamoja region have been launched yesterday by the Minister of State for Works & Transport in charge Transport Hon. Fred Byamukama in Moroto Boma grounds

He said Government plans to open over 2000km of roads in the region and some neighbouring districts with Karenga taking the lion’s share (390km) and Kapelebyong taking the least.

Hon. Byamukama urged the contractors to take seriously the leaders concerns of prioritizing local content by using much of the labor and supplies locally.

Eng. Steven Kitonza, commissioner for roads and bridges at ministry of works and transport, who represented the Permanent Secretary said 250km of roads will be urgently worked on to facilitate mobility of security and development in the region with Nakiloro-Naput-Koteen – Loyoro (88km) and Lopedo-Turuturu (55km) in lot1 procurement under way.

He added that lot2 roads which stretch 112km covering Kalosaric-Mogos-Naput (32km) and Kobebe-Kalongolemuge-Nakapelimoru (80km) procurement process was done and the contractor is already on ground.

Minister of state for Karamoja affairs Hon. Agnes Nandutu says she is happy that the construction of security roads has finally been launched to aid the on going disarmament exercise.

Margaret Aleper Achilla, the woman MP Kotido says there are many factors that have led to the successes of security in Karamoja and the security forces deserve to be appreciated for their efforts. She however rooted for the involvement of karacunas in the construction of these roads to deter them from the acts of rustling.

LC5 Nabilatuk Paul Lokol says ensuring security is everyone’s task and as such this is a big milestone in rebuilding peace, security and development in the region.

The Ministry being the lead in implementing infrastructure and economic service activities related to construction and maintenance of accessible roads and improve choke points/bridges fall under pillar 2 the Parish Development Model-PDM.