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Soroti–Katakwi–Moroto–Lokitanyala Road

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Soroti–Katakwi–Moroto–Lokitanyala Road
Route information
Length133 mi (214 km)
HistoryCompletion (Soroti–Katakwi–Moroto) in 2020
Major junctions
South endSoroti
Major intersectionsKatakwi
Napak
Moroto
North endLokitanyala
Location
CountryUganda
Highway system

Soroti–Katakwi–Moroto–Lokitanyala Road is a road in the Eastern and Northern regions of Uganda. The road connects the urban centers of Soroti, the largest city in Teso sub-region, to Katakwi, the district headquarters of Katakwi District and to Moroto, the largest city in the Karamoja sub-region. It ends at Lokitanyala, at the international border with Kenya.[1]

Location

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The road starts at Soroti and continues northeastwards through Katakwi, and on to Moroto. The distance between Soroti and Moroto is approximately 170 kilometres (106 mi).[2]

At Moroto, the road takes a southeasterly direction for approximately 44 kilometres (27 mi), to end at Lokitanyala, for a total road distance of 214 kilometres (133 mi).[3]

Overview

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Prior to 2016 this transport corridor posed serious challenges to residents and visitors, who endured the dust and potholes during the dry season. In the rainy season the road became a bog, with vehicles stuck in the mud for days, sometimes for weeks.[4][5]

Upgrading to bitumen

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In November 2016, the upgrade of the road to grade II bitumen standard, with culverts, shoulders and drainage channels began. The work was contracted to China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC) and China Railway Group 3 Construction Company. The construction bill totaled USh646.8 billion (approx. US$175 million), funded by the government of Uganda and other development partners.[6]

The work on the Soroti–Katakwi–Moroto section was completed in late 2019. Official handover to the Ugandan government is expected in 2020.[7] As of January 2020, the road had been fully tarmacked from Soroti to Moroto, and was open to the public.[8] The Moroto–Lokitanyala section is expected to be tarmacked during the 2020/2021 financial year that begins in July 2020.[3]

On 21 November 2020, the government received the completed Soroti–Katakwi–Moroto section. Work on the Moroto–Lokitanyala section, measuring 44 kilometres (27 mi), was also flagged off, on the same day. President Yoweri Museveni presided over these events.[9]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Map Showing Soroti–Katakwi–Moroto–Lokitanyala Road in the Town of Katakwi" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  2. ^ "Road Distance Between Soroti and Moroto in Uganda" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  3. ^ a b Eninu, Edward (31 March 2019). "Delay In Construction Of Lokitanyala Road Irks Moroto Leaders". Kampala: Uganda Radio Network. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  4. ^ "Trucks Stuck For Days Along Soroti–Moroto Road" (Video). Kampala: NTV Uganda. 19 December 2015. Retrieved 30 June 2020 – via YouTube.
  5. ^ "Rains cut off access to Karamoja". The Observer. Kampala. Uganda Radio Network. 9 December 2015. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  6. ^ Emwamu, Simon Peter (8 February 2019). "Tamarcked Soroti-Moroto road boosts transport, trade". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  7. ^ Steven Ariong (18 December 2019). "Joy As Government Completes Soroti–Moroto Highway". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  8. ^ Steven Ariong (17 January 2020). "New Moroto–Soroti Road Boosts Trade". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  9. ^ Conan Businge (21 November 2020). "Commissioned Soroti-Moroto road cost sh646bn". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
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