Oyam leaders warn residents against stealing road equipment as works begin

31 October 2026, 12:10 am

By Winnie Auma

Oyam District leaders have urged residents to help arrest and report people found stealing fuel and road construction equipment at project sites.

The call was made during the launch of road works on six roads in Oyam North and Oyam South.

The State Minister for Economic Monitoring, Santa Alum Ogwang, expressed concern that some people steal equipment intended to facilitate government projects, undermining efforts to improve service delivery.

Alum urged residents to work with local leaders and report anyone found stealing fuel or road construction equipment, saying such acts deny communities access to essential services.

The Chairperson of the Lango Parliamentary Group, Patrick Ogwang Obura, has called on residents to take ownership of government projects to ensure their successful implementation.

Ogwang Obura attributed the increase in road funding for Oyam District from UGX 1 billion to UGX 2 billion to unity among the district’s legislators and their lobbying efforts.

The Chairperson of the Oyam District Roads Committee, Dr Eunice Apio Otuku, said UGX 676 million would be spent on road works covering 18.6 kilometres in Oyam North and 27.8 kilometres in Oyam South.

Apio urged district leaders to ensure the funds were properly utilised to deliver quality roads that remain accessible to motorists.

The Oyam District Engineer, George Okite, also warned residents against sabotaging government projects, urging communities and local leaders to support the road works to ensure quality results.

Meanwhile, Oyam District Chairperson Nelson Adea Akar thanked the Government for increasing funding for road maintenance in the district.

Some residents told our reporter that the road works would improve transportation and boost business by making it easier for vehicles to access their communities.

They said poor road conditions had previously forced them to sell their agricultural produce at lower prices.

The roads earmarked for rehabilitation include the 10.1-kilometre Otwal-Alibi-Lira Border Road, which will cost UGX 149 million; the 7.2-kilometre Obangangeo-Atipe Kampala Road, at UGX 103 million; the 8.7-kilometre Mairo-Zambia Road, at UGX 123 million; and the 6.6-kilometre Odyek-Barlongo Road, at UGX 100 million, among others.