Pader district commissions 9.5km Okinga–Adoo road to boost oilseed farming

20 September 2025, 20:09

By Ekel Bonny Daniel

Pader district leaders on Friday commissioned the 9.5-kilometer Okinga (Acholibur)–Adoo (Kitgum border) road, a project under the National Oilseed Project, aimed at linking farmers to markets and boosting agricultural production.

The commissioning took place at Adoo Primary School in Acholibur subcounty.

The Pader Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Amos Asiimwe Banji, who presided over the ceremony, urged residents to make use of the new road for agricultural and economic purposes rather than personal leisure.

“This road is not for visiting girlfriends, but for carrying produce and developing our minds. Some of you received PDM funds but have not put them to use. If our fertile land remains idle, what will this road carry?” Assimue challenged.

He emphasised that development and peace go hand in hand, adding that roads are a foundation for connecting farmers to towns and markets.

He further called on citizens to support government programs and leaders who can effectively represent their voices.

The Pader District Production Officer, Opoka Syaidu Adolatona, explained that the road is part of the oilseed value chain project targeting sunflower and soybean farmers in Acholibur, Atanga, Laguti, Awere, and Puranga subcounties.

“Our farmers are hardworking but lack processing facilities. Currently, middlemen buy their groundnuts and process them elsewhere. We want farmers to own their own facilities to add value and benefit directly,” Adolatona said.

He revealed that another road the Angagura route is also earmarked for improvement under the same project.

Representing the contractor, Ajoba Faustine, foreman at Rhino Engineering Works Ltd, commended the community for providing land and acting as “number one supervisors.”

He also thanked the district technical team led by Engineer Benedict Lubang for technical support throughout the project.

Engineer Lubang confirmed that the road construction cost UGX 870 million, with UGX 87 million retained for six months to cover any defects that may arise during the monitoring period ending March 19, 2026.

He noted that both the district and the community will supervise the road within this period before the final payment is made to the contractor.

The LCIII Chairperson of Acholibur subcounty, Johnson Okot Igaro, pledged to monitor the road closely.

“We shall be on alert during the six months and report any defects for correction by the contractor,” he assured residents.

The rehabilitation of the 9.5 km community access road in Acholibur subcounty is funded by IFAD, OPEC Fund, and the Government of Uganda, supporting rural development and local infrastructure.

The road is expected to ease transportation of oilseed crops, reduce post-harvest losses, and open up Acholibur’s agricultural communities to bigger markets in Kitgum and beyond.