Construction of US$19.83bn irrigation scheme flagged off

The project, which is under the Agricultural Value Chain Development Programme being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, is also expected to be constructed in Bulambuli District. It aims at improving access to water for agricultural production, thus increasing agricultural productivity, improve post-harvest handling, agro-processing and value addition and market access among others.

The deputy speaker, who is also the woman MP for Bukedea District, was happy to turn the dream of the irrigation scheme into reality. She asked the Ministry of Agriculture to closely monitor its execution to ensure that the multibillion project is managed well.

“I don't want you [the Ministry of Agriculture] to leave this in the hands of people who will mismanage it. On behalf of the people of Bukedea, I want this project to be a success and will therefore monitor it myself,” Among said.

She also tasked the contractor, Dott Services, to make sure that the project is completed on time and further requested them to construct a technical school in Kamutur as part of their corporate social responsibility. The contractor welcomed the proposal and promised to have the school built within six months.

The minister of Agriculture Frank Tumwebaze, pledged to speed up the payment process to ensure timely implementation of the project, saying government has earmarked Shs1bn for project affected persons.

State minister for Economic Monitoring Peter Ogwang tasked the contractor to share the projects' Bills of Quantities with the District for proper accountability and transparency during the implementation process.

The proposed irrigation schemes in Bukedea and Bulambuli will cover a whopping 2,200ha of land and will come with additional infrastructure such as administration block, two drying yards, warehouse, workshop, bridge and 58km of access roads.