Ugandan Government Receives Grant to Repair Roads Leading to Refugees’ Settlement
The Government of Uganda has received a grant of $37m (sh109.2b) from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the tarmacking of the 23.6km Yumbe-Manibe Road and construction of Koro Bridge in Yumbe District to ease transportation to refugee settlements in West Nile.
“The government has generously maintained its longstanding open-door policy and warmly hosting refugees. There are about 1.4 million refugees and asylum seekers in Uganda. About 280,000 refugees are settled in the West Nile sub-region,” Fukuzawa, a representative from JICA said adding that the project will give a synergistic effect to the approved World Bank-funded Koboko-Yumbe-Moyo road corridor project.
He expressed that the recent inflow of refugees from South Sudan into the West Nile has increased pressure on socio-economic infrastructure in the region.
“Japan recognizes the importance of improving the national road so as to expedite the transportation and trade network in the region which will result in boosting the development of regional economy in the future,” Fukuzawa said.
The Ugandan Finance Minister Mr. Matia Kasaija who signed the grant on behalf of the government said that many of the refugees fleeing to Uganda from the neighboring countries have close ties with Uganda.
“We have Banyoro in Uganda and DRC. One time a Ugandan from Busia wanted to be president in Uganda while his brother in Kenya wanted to be President in Kenya. Some people from West Nile have cousins in South Sudan and others have parents in DRC,” Kasaja explained.
Uchiyama Takayuki, senior representative for JICA said that JICA appreciates and respects Uganda’s hospitality for refugees and will continue collaborating and supporting Uganda.
The road and bridge project will be implemented in Yumbe district by the Uganda National Road Authority. The planned implementation period is about 55 months including drawing the detailed designs, tender process, and the construction work as well as defect liability period.
The grant aims to develop socio-economic infrastructure, improve transport through improving the national feeder roads and a bridge in refugee-hosting areas in the West Nile sub-region. The outcomes according to the project are the stability of society and the promotion of sustainable development in Uganda.
By Gaaniko Samson Jerry
