President Yoweri Museveni has commended the good relationship between Uganda and Japan, saying the Government of Japan has been a close partner for the last 56 years.
“During this time, we have received over US$ 1.22 billion. Uganda’s exports to Japan include; Coffee, Tea, Oil Seeds and Fish. Uganda’s Imports from Japan include; Vehicles, Iron and Steel, Machinery and Mechanical appliances,” said the president who was officiating at the commissioning the Source of the Nile Bridge in Jinja.
“This ceremony is a manifestation of NRM Government’s success of the partnership between the Governments of Uganda and Japan,” the president added.
The president went ahead to list other projects funded by Japan, through its Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA).
The projects under various sectors include;
- The Project for Improvement of Gulu Municipal Council Roads in Northern Uganda;
- The upgrading of Atiak-Nimule Roads Project;
- The Northern Uganda Farmers Livelihood Improvement Project;
- Interconnection of Electric Grids of the Nile Equatorial Lakes Countries Project;
- Kampala Flyover Construction and Road Upgrading Project, (whose contract has been signed) etc.
“I have been informed that out of the 760 staff at the peak of construction, 90.5% of Contractors’ staff were; Ugandan Engineers, technicians, craftsmen and laborers. Out of 33 staff of the Supervising Consultant, 67% were Ugandan Engineers and Works Inspectors, 80% of reinforcement steel for high performance concrete was sourced locally in Uganda,” said Mr Museveni.
He added: “I am happy to note that the Project has been completed within the cost and budget and almost within the planned timeframe (i.e. in 48 months which ended in April, 2018). I want to thank the Contractors, Consultants and the Project Management Team for working together to complete this Project.”
The president further explained that road transport carries about 90% of the country’s goods and passenger traffic.
He however expressed concern over the road safety situation in Uganda which he noted has deteriorated rapidly over the last years, saying this is mainly due to the growing vehicle population and the lack of appropriate road safety interventions from the regulatory authorities.
“Additionally, over 90 percent of the vehicles imported in Uganda are second hand and there is no clear mechanism to inspect vehicles on a regular basis. The high number of road accidents in major urban areas is also due to the rapid increase in the use of commercial motorcycles-boda-bodas,” he said.
Nevertheless, Mr Museveni is optimistic that the improved Bridge, with dual carriage way, will significantly improve road safety in the country.
“We shall encourage cyclists and boda-boda to use the old bridge to avoid congestion and confusion on this new facility.”