Otuke, Uganda | President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has ordered the Ministry of Works and Transport to immediately start upgrading the Lira–Abim road to tarmac.
Otuke East MP Julius Acon Bua confirmed the directive, saying he received communication from Government Chief Whip Denis Hamson Obua and Speaker of Parliament Anita Among following a Cabinet meeting chaired by the President.
He said Mr Museveni instructed Works Minister Gen. Katumba Wamala to begin work without delay.
Acon said the order followed the President’s recent rallies in Alebtong and Otuke, where residents demanded that the road be upgraded.
He noted that the Lira–Abim road is a key route linking districts in the Lango sub-region, and its poor condition has affected trade, health services, and transport.
He said the upgrade will open up the region for investment and ease movement of goods and people.
He commended Lango MPs and district leaders for consistently pushing for the road’s rehabilitation, saying their efforts had paid off.
Otuke Business Community Chairperson Lwoch Martin said the President’s decision will help revive trade in the area.
He said business has been greatly affected by the poor road network, with traders taking up to two days to travel from Otuke to Lira.
He added that some transporters have abandoned the route because of the bad road, increasing the cost of doing business.
Lwoch urged the Ministry of Works to implement the order quickly, saying a tarmac road will boost trade and revenue collection.
Orum Sub-county LC III Chairperson Bosco Okullu said the poor road has pushed transport fares from Shs10,000 to Shs20,000 and made ambulance movements difficult.
He said many lives have been lost due to delays in reaching Lira hospitals.
Okullu said the road upgrade will improve access to health and education services and support economic growth in Otuke and neighbouring districts.
