This Is Still Not Enough!! Northern Uganda MPs Thank President Museveni For Valley Dams

By Kampala Insider Editor On Aug 31, 2024

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The government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Agriculture, has embarked on an ambitious project to construct valley dams in the semi-arid Karamoja sub-region.

Each district in Karamoja is slated to have a water dam, as directed by President Museveni, who opted for the Ministry of Agriculture to lead the project instead of the Ministry of Water.

Despite the challenges posed by insecurity in the region, the Ministry’s engineers have persevered, working tirelessly to implement the President’s directive.

The use of the force account approach by the Ministry of Agriculture has proven to be a cost-effective method, with each dam costing approximately Shs4bn, significantly cheaper than the Ministry of Water’s approach, which would have cost four times more. This approach has also allowed the Ministry’s engineers to take ownership of the project, saving money on consultants, supervision, and designing.

While some individuals have expressed interest in being involved in the project, the majority of elected leaders in Karamoja have appreciated the patriotism and risk taken by the Ministry of Agriculture engineers. During a special sitting of Parliament in Gulu, MPs from Karamoja thanked the President for prioritizing their region, with Amudat Woman MP Betty Louke Chelain expressing gratitude for the valley dams project.

The President’s decision to have the Ministry of Agriculture lead the project has been instrumental in its success, as it has allowed for a more coordinated and controlled approach. Since 2008, President Museveni has advocated for a comprehensive agriculture mechanization program, fully coordinated and controlled by the Ministry of Agriculture, which has the technical expertise to work effectively with various stakeholders.

The project’s success has been evident, with MPs like Chelain thanking the President for the positive impact it has had on their communities. The President has promised to continue working with the elected leaders of Karamoja to strengthen the project and ensure its continued success.

As one MP noted, “All the ordinary people want is water to support agricultural production, irrigation, and livestock farming. It’s all about accessing water to facilitate the intended activities.”