Otuke District, June 25, 2025 – In a noteworthy advancement for rural infrastructure and agricultural development, the Ministry of Local Government, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries, has officially inaugurated a 16.9-kilometre community access road in Otuke District as part of the National Oilseeds Project (NOSP).
This newly constructed road connects Ogor Village, Omwonylee Primary School, Atat Village, and Ameri Market to Anik Market and Okore, spanning two sub-counties, Ogor and Okwang. This initiative marks the first official road launch under the NOSP on a national scale and is aimed at improving the oilseed value chain and enhancing market accessibility for local producers.
The inauguration ceremony was officiated by Hon. Susan Jolly Abeja, the Member of Parliament for Otuke, who expressed her appreciation to the government and the Ministry of Local Government for designating Otuke as a beneficiary of the NOSP. She emphasised that the newly constructed roads would eliminate intermediaries, thus allowing farmers direct access to buyers.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Ben Kumumanya, represented by Commissioner for Local Economic Development Anthony Namara, reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting integrated development.
He stated, “This project aligns with two fundamental pillars of the Parish Development Model: Pillar 1 – Production, Storage, Processing, and Marketing, and Pillar 2 – Infrastructure and Economic Services. As a government, we are dedicated to synchronising our development efforts to make a significant impact on household incomes and improve livelihoods across Uganda.”
The road, constructed by M/S GAT Consults Ltd at a total cost of UGX 1.63 billion (inclusive of VAT), conforms to Class III District Road standards, featuring a width of 7.3 metres and a gravel depth of 100 mm.
The project includes 49 reinforced culvert lines (26 at a diameter of 600 mm and 23 at a diameter of 900 mm), all encased in concrete to ensure durability. The anticipated construction period is eight months, with the completion date projected for October 25, 2025.
The inauguration ceremony was officiated by Hon. Susan Jolly Abeja, the Member of Parliament for Otuke
The National Oilseeds Project, which commenced in July 2021 and is scheduled to continue until September 2028, is jointly funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), Heifer International, Kuehne Stiftung Foundation, and the Government of Uganda. Spanning 81 districts across 11 sub-regions, the NOSP is designed to transform the oilseed sector, which includes crops such as sunflower, soybean, sesame, and groundnuts, through two principal components: value chain development and market infrastructure.
Under the second component, implemented by the Ministry of Local Government, the project aims to construct 2,500 kilometres of Community Access Roads (CARs) nationwide, with the initial batch comprising 1,034 kilometres currently in progress.
The designs for these roads were developed in-house by NOSP personnel in collaboration with district teams and the Ministry of Works and Transport, incorporating climate-resilient features such as engineered drainage, tree planting, and environmental safeguards.
The Omwonylee–Anik Market road constitutes one of 92 sub-county-level CARs included in the first batch across 81 districts. Community members have voluntarily provided land in accordance with the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) model.
Maintenance of the road will be the responsibility of the Otuke District Local Government following the project handover, with additional support planned under the Uganda Road Fund Maintenance Programme.
Hajji Yasin Sendaula, the project coordinator for the NOSP, commended the collaboration among stakeholders and encouraged community members to take full ownership of the project.
Oversight of the implementation process will be conducted by various district and community structures, including the Parish Development Committees (PDCs), District Engineers, Environment Officers, and Community Development Officers, to ensure quality and transparency in execution.
The inauguration event attracted a significant number of attendees, including the NOSP technical team and District Inspector Stephen Koma, as well as Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs), Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), District Engineers, and Community Development Officers from the benefiting districts, all of whom were present to witness the project launch.
As Uganda advances its objectives for rural transformation through strategic investments in infrastructure and agricultural development, the inauguration of the Otuke road under the NOSP serves as a compelling illustration of how integrated governmental programs, such as the Parish Development Model, are beginning to yield substantive results.
