(AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK) – The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group approved, on 1is December 2023, in Abidjan, the granting of a loan of 252.83 million US dollars to Uganda, to finance the construction of the Laropi-Moyo-Afoji and Katuna-Muko-Kamuganguzi roads.
The financial support consists of two loans: one of $179.68 million from the African Development Bank and the other of $73.15 million from the African Development Fund, the concessional rate loan window of the Bank Group.
« The Laopi-Moyo-Afoji/Katuna-Muko-Kamuganguzi Road Project aims to improve rural transport connectivity and facilitate regional integration in Kabale, Rubanda and Moyo districts of Uganda. It is expected to boost incomes, deepen regional integration and facilitate trade while opening another transport corridor linking Uganda, South Sudan and the Central African Republic said Augustine Ngafuan, country manager of the African Development Bank in Uganda.
« The construction of this infrastructure will therefore allow economic operators along this route to reduce costs and execution times while improving the efficiency of transport logistics. “, he added.
In addition to the two main roads, the project will carry out related developments: construction of roads in small towns and installation of non-motorized traffic equipment (footbridges and cycle paths) in the localities of Moyo and Laropi, in the North West ; public lighting to improve the business environment for traders; the construction of pedestrian and cycle paths to improve mobility. It is also planned to construct market stalls with refrigeration facilities in Kashasha/Katuna, Moyo and Laropi with refrigeration equipment in support of the commercial activities currently taking place in the open to enhance the revenue generated by the perishable products like fish and vegetables.
Furthermore, flood protection works will be built in Laropi to strengthen the resilience of populations to the effects of climate change and thus reduce disruptions to commercial activities. Finally, a single-pass border post will be constructed at Afoji/Jale to strengthen commercial activities and transport and facilitate the harmonization, synchronization and coordination of the chain of border crossing operations and formalities.
The Laropi-Moyo-Afoji road is in northwest Uganda, in the Moyo district, which has a population of approximately 140,000. About 80% of the district’s land is arable and suitable for agriculture and horticulture. The West Nile sub-region currently hosts more than 500,000 refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. The road will provide vital access to several refugee camps and support the farming communities of Kabale and Rubanda districts, which have a population of 460,000.
As of November 2023, the African Development Bank Group’s active portfolio in Uganda included 35 projects with commitments of $1.95 billion.
2023-12-02 18:44:58
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