By Ben MusanjeThe Ministry of Local Government (MoLG) which is led by Minister Balaam Barugahara and his junior Justine Nameere, has signed contracts worth UGX 10.39 billion for the rehabilitation of 139.7 kilometres of district and community access roads across nine districts in Northern Uganda under the Rural Development and Food Security in Northern Uganda (RUDSEC) Project.The contracts, signed on July 8, 2026, cover nine road projects (Batch 2) and mark another milestone in the government’s efforts to improve rural infrastructure, boost agricultural productivity and enhance market access in Northern Uganda. Construction is expected to begin next week following the official handover of project sites.The roads to be rehabilitated are located in Lamwo, Pader, Agago, Lira, Dokolo, Oyam, Soroti, Serere and Kaberamaido districts. The programme is part of the five-year RUDSEC Project, funded by the Government of Uganda and the Government of Germany through KfW Development Bank, with a total investment of US$28 million.Speaking during the contract signing ceremony, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Local Government, Ben Kumumanya, said improving rural road infrastructure remains central to Uganda’s economic transformation agenda.“Agri-industrialization is central to Uganda’s journey towards middle-income status. That transformation begins with motorability and accessibility through roads, which facilitate trade, service delivery and other development activities,” Kumumanya said.He noted that the project is designed to rehabilitate and upgrade transport and market infrastructure to improve access to agricultural production areas, reduce transportation costs and increase incomes for farming communities across Northern Uganda.The rehabilitation works will cover the Kalongo–Lomoi Road in Agago District (Sections A and B), Corner Ogwec–Tenten Road in Lamwo, Puranga–Ogonyo–Achola Stream Road in Pader, Agweng–Barlonyo and Akano–Lwala roads in Lira, Alwimac–Awiri–Asalim Road in Dokolo, Ochero–Bugoi Road in Kaberamaido, Atirir–Orungo Border Road in Soroti, and the Serere Upper Shops–Akoboi and Kamod–Otimong–Akobi roads in Serere.The contracts were awarded following what the ministry described as a rigorous and competitive procurement process. The works will be supervised by Lea Associates South Asia (LASA) in association with KOM Consult Ltd for the Teso sub-region, UB Consulting Engineers Ltd for Acholi, and KOM Consult Ltd for Lango.Kumumanya challenged the contractors to deliver quality infrastructure while adhering to construction standards, environmental safeguards and occupational safety requirements. He also urged them to prioritize the employment of local labour, maintain strong community relations and ensure gender inclusion throughout project implementation.The Permanent Secretary further emphasized the need for contractors to submit performance securities before mobilization, prepare detailed work plans, use quality construction materials and restore borrow pits after completion of the works.Beyond improving road connectivity, the project is expected to strengthen decentralized service delivery, facilitate the movement of agricultural produce to markets and create employment opportunities for local communities.The nine contracts have been awarded to Safe Green (U) Ltd, Strakon Limited, Nabet Construction Ltd, Unified Investment Company Ltd, Alliance Technical Services Ltd, JB United Civil Engineering and Building, CAB Uganda Ltd, Magambi Civil Engineering (U) Ltd, and TABA Services Ltd.The RUDSEC Project is being implemented over the 2023/24–2027/28 period and seeks to improve food security and household incomes by investing in rural transport infrastructure and market access across Northern Uganda.(For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).