The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kabarole, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Residents of Kabarole district are demanding answers over the stalled construction of an agro-industrial park.
Construction of the park was supposed to commence in 2019, but three years later, there is no activity at the proposed site located in Kyembogo, Rwegaju sub-county.
When URN visited the place, the proposed site was bushy and abandoned.
Gilbert Muhumuza, a resident of Busoro sub county says that they have not heard from the district authorities regarding the progress of the park. He says that residents in the area had hoped that the park would address the problem of unemployment in the region.
Mable Karungi, another resident says that farmers in the area were excited that the park would improve value to their products, but their hopes have been dashed.
Businge Karugaba, a resident of Kyembogo says that the government should honour its promise.
According to Karugaba, the promise could have been a political tool to woo residents of Kabarole to overwhelmingly vote for the NRM government.
Richard Rwabuhinga, the LCV Chairperson Kabarole says that the district council is yet to resolve the land ownership. Rwabuhinga explains that the land where the proposed site is located needs to first be reverted from the Uganda Land Commission to UIA.
The Director-General Uganda Investment Authority-UIA, Robert Mukiza declined to comment on the delays, but said that the construction of infrastructure at the site is yet to commence. He says that there is need to install a high voltage power line, constant water supply among other key things.
According to Mukiza, construction will be undertaken by the UPDF Engineering Brigade.
The agro-industrial park was to be implemented under the agri-led programme for the Rwenzori sub-region. The initiative that was approved by the cabinet in 2019 aims at transforming local governments to eradicate poverty and ensure sustainable wealth creation by paying attention to the needs of individual districts.
It also seeks to enhance private sector growth and development through enterprise development and attracting local and foreign investors to the region.
The initiative is further expected to widen the revenue base for local governments, strengthen capacities in terms of infrastructure and human resources, leverage the existing expertise and technology to develop agro-industries and promote cross border trade.
It was crafted under the guidance of Gen Caleb Akandwanaho alias Salim Saleh, the Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) for the benefit of Kasese, Bundibugyo, Bunyangabu, Ntoroko, Kabarole, Kyenjojo and Kyegegwa districts.
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