By KT Reporter
The Minister of Local Government, Raphael Magyezi, has commissioned a brand-new motor grader for Arua City, procured for UGX 1.2 billion from part of the UGX 6.7 billion collected in local revenue during the last financial year.
The Mantrac 2025 model grader, acquired in mid-September, is expected to boost the city’s road maintenance. Arua City, which comprises the divisions of Central and Ayivu, has a road network covering 550 kilometers across its 410 square kilometers of land area.
Until now, the city has been hiring road equipment from Obongi and Arua districts at UGX 500,000 per hour. While commissioning the grader at the Arua City yard on Tuesday, Minister Magyezi commended the city leadership for effective revenue mobilization but cautioned that the grader must not be hired out.
Arua City Mayor Sam Wadri Nyakua described the purchase as a collective achievement and a legacy of mobilizing local resources to procure the first such machine in the entire northern region.
City Clerk David Kyasanku noted that the grader will save the city huge sums previously spent on hiring road equipment. He added that the city targets to raise at least UGX 6 billion this financial year.
Mustafa Aliga, chairperson of Arua City Property Owners Association, commended taxpayers for fulfilling their obligations, which made the procurement possible.
John Katumba, the representative of Mantrac Uganda Limited, the official Caterpillar distributor, assured the city authorities of value for money and a two-year guarantee on the grader.
During his visit, Minister Magyezi also toured Arua City Central Market and the Value Addition Facility, and pledged to ensure that more road equipment will be delivered to cities before the end of the year.
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