Uganda is fast-tracking land acquisition for the proposed Mulwanda border road linking the country to Kenya, a project expected to provide an alternative route for heavy trucks and ease congestion at the busy Busia border crossing.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

Uganda's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, Rebecca Kadaga, on Sunday, October 11, directed the Ministry of Works to speed up land acquisition to allow construction of the road and the opening of the border crossing.

The directive followed concerns raised by Uganda's Parliament Speaker, Jacob Oboth, who questioned the government's delay in opening the border, noting that Kenya had already tarmacked its section of the road.

According to Oboth, only about 12 kilometres of road on the Ugandan side, from Lumino to the border, remained unpaved.

📌 What You Need to Know

"The Kenyan government has already completed its road up to the border river at Mulwanda. What remains is Uganda's 12-kilometre stretch from Lumino, which is still unpaved," Oboth claimed.

In response, the Deputy Prime Minister announced that it had ordered the relevant ministry to begin land acquisition for the road construction and ensure the border is operational in due time.

"I have instructed the Works Ministry to fast-track the acquisition of land for the Mulwanda Border; your message will reinforce the process," Kadaga said.

According to reports, the Mulwanda border is expected to divert heavy commercial trucks from the Busia crossing, which has recently been experiencing traffic congestion.

Busia Governor Paul Otuoma said opening the Mulwanda crossing would fulfil a longstanding ambition of communities on both sides of the border.

He also argued that, besides reducing congestion, the new border will reduce road accidents witnessed in Busia town and along the border.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke