Kotido, Karamoja: The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has launched the long-awaited upgrade of the 78-kilometer Kotido–Kaabong–Kapedo road, a key transport corridor in Karamoja, aimed at boosting trade, mobility, and regional security.
The project will see the entire stretch fully paved, culverts installed to manage seasonal flooding, and solar-powered streetlights erected in major trading centers, including Kotido Town, Kaabong Central, and Kapedo. According to UNRA engineers, the new infrastructure has been designed to withstand Karamoja’s rugged terrain and harsh climate.
Kotido Resident District Commissioner Charles Ichogor described the project as a lifeline for the region. “This road is more than tarmac, it’s a lifeline for our farmers, traders, and youth. It will open access to markets, reduce transport costs, and improve delivery of essential services,” he said.
For years, the route has been marred by insecurity, including ambushes and cattle raids. Local leaders believe the road upgrade will help deter crime by enabling faster patrols and making travel safer.
“Improved infrastructure is a key deterrent to crime. Lighting and faster response times will make a real difference,” noted Kaabong LC5 Chairperson Rose Lokol.
But the road’s impact goes beyond safety and trade. UNRA has pledged to engage local labor and youth groups in the construction process, injecting immediate employment into communities and building skills that will last long after the final layer of asphalt is laid.
“This is not just a government project—it’s a community project,” said UNRA site engineer Moses Okello. “We’re hiring locally, training locally, and building for the future.”
The road is also expected to facilitate humanitarian access, improve delivery of health services, and strengthen regional integration by linking Karamoja to neighboring districts and cross-border trade routes.
Slated for completion in late 2026, the Kotido–Kaabong–Kapedo upgrade is part of Uganda’s broader infrastructure push under the National Development Plan III. For Karamoja, it’s more than a road—it’s a route to resilience, prosperity, and pride.
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