The Minister for Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Henry Musasizi, has asked residents of Omoro District and other communities along the Gulu-Moroto Road to remain patient, saying major rehabilitation works on the road are expected to begin in the 2028/29 financial year.
Minister Musasizi said the government is constrained by limited resources but has provided for comprehensive rehabilitation of the road under the fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV).
He made the remarks on Saturday while gracing the ordination of four Catholic priests of the Gulu Archdiocese where his Cousin brother Fr Ronald Turyasingura was Ordained a Priest. Fr Turyasingura belongs to the congregation of Don Bosco.
“In NDP IV, we planned for it between financial year 2028/29. So I want to assure these people that we have not refused to work on the road. But we are still constrained with resources, and we are monitoring,” Minister Musasizi said.
He said that in the meantime, the Ministry of Works and Transport would continue maintaining the road using first-class murram to ease the movement of people and agricultural produce to markets.
“I appeal to the residents and other communities that depend on the Gulu-Moroto Road to remain patient as government plans comprehensive work on the road,” he said.
Minister Musasizi added: “Through the Ministry of Works and Transport, we shall in the meantime grade and maintain the road with first-class murram.”
He also said the government expects oil revenues to start flowing later this year, with a significant portion of the money expected to be invested in infrastructure development.
“We are hopeful that by December, the oil revenues are going to start coming. What shall we use oil revenues for? We shall use oil revenues mainly for infrastructure development,” Minister Musasizi said.
The assurance comes amid growing concerns from residents over the poor condition of the Gulu-Moroto Road, which they say has disrupted transport, increased travel costs and affected the movement of agricultural produce to markets.
The 397-kilometre road is a key transport and trade corridor connecting northern and northeastern Uganda, serving communities in the Acholi and Karamoja sub-regions.
Charles Rackara, a resident, said the deteriorating condition of the road was affecting transport and economic activities in the region.
Rackara said the problem was not limited to Omoro but also affected communities in Pader, Agago, Abim and Moroto districts.
He said residents had for years been given assurances that the road would be upgraded, but the project had yet to materialise.
“We have heard promises from people who come and tell us that this road will be constructed. Our prayer, on behalf of this congregation, is that the road should finally be worked on,” Rackara said.
He urged the government to prioritise the road, saying its rehabilitation would ease transport, improve access to markets and strengthen economic activities in the affected districts.
Omoro District LC5 chairman Okot Andrew Obibi also appealed to the government to expedite the upgrading of the road, saying it would improve trade, transport and access to essential services in the region.
Obibi said residents remained supportive of President Museveni and the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), but wanted the government to reciprocate their support by improving the road network.
“Our message to His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda is that the people of Omoro love you so much. We gave him 84 percentage points. I therefore request you, when you go to Cabinet, please tell the President that the community loves him so much and ask him to do them one favour — tarmac the Omoro road,” Obibi said.
The Gulu-Moroto Road is considered an important trade and tourism corridor, linking northern Uganda to the Karamoja sub-region.
Once upgraded, the road is expected to boost agricultural trade, ease the movement of people and goods between the Acholi and Karamoja sub-regions, and improve access to markets and essential services.
