Uganda Airlines plans to purchase two cargo planes
At the commencement of the 2021-2026 NRM Manifesto implementation, the Ministry of Works and Transport committed to 40 areas under Road, Air, Rail and Inland Water Transport.
Among these commitments was the purchase of Cargo planes for Uganda Airlines as a way of supporting export of agricultural produce.
While updating the country on the progress on these commitments on Friday, Richard Ndiku,a Commissioner in the Ministry of Works and Transport said that “Cabinet approved the proposal to acquire 2 cargo freighters, i.e, a Boeing 777F and Boeing 737-800BCF.”
“Discussions on the terms and conditions of the purchase are on-going with Boeing,” he said.
Ndiku was reading the report as the Minister of State for Works and Transport (Transport), Fred Byamukama, and his Permanent secretary, Bageya Waiswa, followed and listened attentively.
The other commitment was the completion of the construction of Hoima International Airport in 2023. He said there is a 98% cumulative physical progress.
The government has also committed to procure additional road construction equipment to benefit 16 districts which were created between 2018 and 2019. The districts include Nabilatuk, Bugweri, Kassanda, Kwania, Kapelebyong, Kikuube, Obongi, Kazo, Rwampara, Kitagwenda, Madi Okollo, Karenga and Lusot.
Ndiku said that equipment comprising 1 Motor-Grader and 1 Wheel-Loader, were procured and handed over to the respective districts in May 2024. “The Ministry continues to engage MoFPED for funds to acquire the remaining equipment (1 vibro-roller, 1 water-bowser, and 2 tipper-trucks),” said Ndiku.
He added that for all districts where we procured equipment, additional resources for fuel to operate the equipment to murram and compact the roads will be provided.
Allocation of an extra UGX 1bn to each district for FY 2023/24 was provided and maintained for FY 2024/25, he added.
Under rail, Ndiku said the government had committed to develop Human Resource Capacity Development to provide a new generation of workforce with the requisite technical expertise to run the SGR). In deed, he reported that Human Resource Capacity Development Plan was developed.
“This has been under implementation since 2015 but a low scale. The Ministry has negotiated a Local Content Capacity Plan with Yapi and this will be implemented under the contract. The Ministry also included a significant Local/National Content Component in the Design Review and Supervision Contract. The Plan is to have on job training as well as class room and field training both in Uganda and abroad,” said Ndiku.
The Tororo-Gulu Metre Gauge Railway Rehabilitation is ongoing, with 21.34% physical works completed. 2,134 PAPs out of 4,886 have been compensated (Tororo to Soroti) (Bukedea-336/402,Kumi-128/179, Ngora-80/102, Tororo-318/376, Mbale -253/328, Butaleja-53/68, Mbale Municipality-712/859, Butebo -19/60, Soroti-207/535).
There was also a commitment to modernization of Port Bell and Jinja Pier lines. Ndiku said that “Minor rehabilitations were done on Jinja Pier.”
He added that railway infrastructure at Pier – Up-graded pier line, Re-instatement of the pier yard line completed, drainage improvement, upgrading to concrete 3 level crossings. “The Central Corridor and EU are undertaking studies to establish a green port at Port Bell,” Ndiku added.
Under water transport, Ndiku said that the government had committed to improve navigation safety and security on water, and provide high-speed security boats for policing and emergency response.
He reported that the government signed contract for equipping the maritime training facility and the hostel. Supplies are expected to be completed by May 2025, he said.
The government also procured and distributed 2,800 lifejackets to water transport users at various landing sites. The government also procured and operationalized one (1) ambulance boat on Lake Victoria.
“Procured equipment and furniture for the nine (9) no. SAR centers and women fish drying sheds and deployment to the respective centers will commence on completion of centers,” he added.
Challenges
Ndiku said that the Covid-19 pandemic affected the Programme’s ability to achieve the set targets especially at the onset of Manifesto implementation i.e. the period 2020-2021.
He also cited heavy rains which lead to; the slow progress of the construction projects; several cut-offs of roads and collapse of bridges which necessitated emergency interventions and; the rapid deterioration of the condition of the roads.
He added that under-funding of Programme Interventions resulting into, among others, maintenance backlog, gradual deterioration of the infrastructure and accumulation of debts.
Otherwise, he said that despite several challenges, the “Programme performance so far is to a great extent satisfactory.”
