Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), under its commercial arm – the National Enterprise Corporation, is set to undertake road construction and maintenance projects.
“Pursuant to a Presidential directive, the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) – the commercial arm of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) with the objective of building the capacity of NEC to undertake road construction and maintenance projects,” a UNRA statement reads in part.
The initial contracts under the MOU will include NEC undertaking the following works:
1. Civil works to construct of an access road to the Children’s Surgical Hospital in Entebbe. The 4km road will enhance access to the pediatric hospital, which has since become a referral point for surgery for patients across the region.
2. Civil works for the rehabilitation of Olwiyo – Pakwach Road (62km).
3. Mechanized maintenance of 124km unpaved roads in the central region. These include Ngoma – Kyankanzi (15km), Ngoma – Kasozi – Kyamukanda (42km), Luku – Kalangala (31km), and Kalangala – Mbalabana (35km).
Commenting about the partnership, UNRA’s Executive Director Allen Kagina, said, ‘‘this partnership between two Government agencies will go a long way in ensuring that Government achieves its development objectives whilst building capacity of the local construction industry.”
At 101, UNRA has the highest number of registered engineers in the country.
“It is this technically competent and experienced team that will share knowledge, experience and best practice with NEC, in a deliberate upskilling initiative as part of the partnership. As Uganda’s economy has consistently grown, the demand for superior and industry grade roads has equally grown.
“Being the lifeline of Uganda’s economy, UNRA will continue to explore partnerships that allow the realization of the National Vision 2040: A Transformed Ugandan Society from a Peasant to a Modern and Prosperous Country within 30 years,” the UNRA statement reads.
Local content
In order to promote local construction capacity, Government put in place a framework to ensure that local contractors are developed and can participate in the national road development program. The Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets (PPDA) regulations provide for the promotion of local content and requires that entities reserve work for local companies.