By Our Reporter
The Ministry of Works and Transport scored 80% in implementing the NRM 2016-20/21 Manifesto pledges.
This is according to Edward Katumba Wamala, the Minister for Works and Transport.
Presenting his ministry’s performance at the OPM Auditorium on Friday, Katumba said the Ministry has achieved so much despite the limited funding.
“Sector realized a budget shortfall of 18.84%,” Katumba said.
Achievements
27 road construction projects were completed, adding 1,584.9km to the paved national road network. This represents 78.2% achievement against the target of 2,025km.
This, he said, included town roads along the major road projects implemented. 820.6 km of the national road network were rehabilitated surpassing the manifesto target of 700km by 120.6km. This represents 117.2% achievement, Katumba said.
He added that 17 out of the 18 bridges mentioned in the Manifesto were completed (94% achieved). The remaining bridge (Kasozi bridge linking Ngoma to Buruli) is yet to be completed, the Minister said.
He added that 60 out of the 112 bridges have been completed (24 on the National road and 36 on DUCAR networks)-53.8% achieved. This has been due to low funding levels, he noted.
However, Katumba said construction works on 46 bridges (41 on National network & 5 on the DUCAR network) are on-going at various stages of completion.
He added that the revived the National Carrier to enhance tourism through improved regional and international connectivity into Uganda.
Increased the departure immigration counters from 6 to 11 and arrival immigration counters from 14 to 20 booths to reduce long queues at Entebbe airport has been achieved, he said.
The Ministry also installed a modern Terminal Operations Control Center at the airport and a training facility at the UCAA Head office.
It also upgraded the Air Traffic Control Radar and Airspace Management System, giving it an extended life span of 10 more years.
The Ministry further redesigned Entebbe airport instrument flight procedures to meet the new ICAO requirement. In 2017 the Security Audit score was 81.8%.
On the Standard Gauge Railway, Katumba said negotiations are ongoing so as to get the best financial option from the EXIM Bank of China.
He said the ministry revamped MV Kaawa and it’s operational. MV Pamba is under rehabilitation (80% completed) while the rehabilitation of Mwanga and building a new ship to replace MV Kabalega awaits resources.
He noted that running costs and maintenance of road equipment costs Shs10bn annually.
Katumba says there is a need for an increment in the budget for Regional Mechanical Workshops to adequately serve the Local Governments.
There is also need for increased supervision vehicles for road equipment for Local Governments and road equipment for new districts, Municipalities and urban councils.
Other challenges include imbalance in budget between road development and road maintenance which breeds the risk of deteriorating the road assets developed.
The annual road maintenance requirement is estimated at UGX 1.2 trillion yet only UGX 527bn is provided in the budget.
According to Katumba, there is increased demand for new road development at the expense of maintenance of roads and road equipment.
The other challenges are inadequate counterpart funding for externally funded projects e.g. Bukasa Port, Tororo-Gulu railway line, several national road projects etc and delays in the procurement process; occasioned by administrative reviews and whistle blowers.
