By KT Reporter
President Yoweri Museveni has pledged to construct more security roads in Karamoja and tarmac the road linking Moroto to Kaabong through Kotido District.
The commitment comes as torrential rains render key routes in northern Karamoja impassable. The worst-hit areas include Abim, Kotido, Kaabong, and Karenga districts.
The most affected roads are the Moroto–Kotido and Soroti–Otuke–Abim–Kotido roads, which connect to Kaabong and Karenga. During the rainy season, several roads are frequently cut off, rendering them impassable and disrupting trade and security operations.
While commissioning a clinker factory in Moroto last week, Museveni reaffirmed his commitment to tarmacking the Moroto–Kotido–Kaabong road.
The pledge follows concerns raised by locals over the deteriorating state of roads in the region during the rainy season.
Museveni said the government has already considered working on Karamoja roads to boost development and maintain peace.
“The security roads will help the forces monitor the security situation in the region and also maintain the peace that has been hard-earned,” Museveni said.
He noted that the government is finalizing construction works for the Nakapiripirit–Mbale road through Muyembe.
Museveni reiterated that his plan for Karamoja dates back to when the NRM took power, with Karamoja listed as number six in the Ten-Point Program.
“We do not see the reason why Karamoja should be left behind. The region is now ready to kick off with development, and it’s the right time now to push for more development after the communities’ embrace of peace,” he said.
The president’s latest pledge marks a shift from October 2025, when, during campaign rallies in Karamoja, he warned the Karamojong to focus on wealth creation initiatives rather than demanding tarmac roads.
Currently, the only tarmac roads in Karamoja are the Moroto–Soroti highway via Napak District and the Moroto–Mbale road via Nakapiripirit to Muyembe.
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