Road to Blacklist: Nameere Gives Contractors Tough Choice

Dokolo, Uganda | State Minister for Local Government Justine Nameere has issued a stern warning to contractors, supervising engineers and technical officers against delays, shoddy work and corruption in the implementation of government infrastructure projects.

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Minister Justine Nameere during the launch of 12.7-kilometre Alwitmac-Awiri-Asalim road in Dokolo District.

Speaking during the launch of the 12.7-kilometre Alwitmac–Awiri–Asalim Road under the Rural Development and Food Security (RUDSEC) Project at Dokolo Sub-county headquarters on Friday, July 17, 2026, Nameere said government would not tolerate poor performance. She warned that there would be no contract extensions and that contractors found delivering substandard work would have their contracts terminated, be blacklisted and prosecuted.

The minister also directed contractors to prioritise employing local residents to ensure communities directly benefit from government projects. She urged district leaders to closely monitor project implementation and called on residents to protect the road construction equipment from vandalism. Nameere further revealed that the contractor who had abandoned the construction of Adok Seed Secondary School had been dismissed and would be replaced before the end of August.

Dokolo North MP Joseph Jones Ogwal welcomed the RUDSEC project, saying it would improve road connectivity, enable farmers to access markets more easily, help children reach schools, and improve access to health facilities for expectant mothers and other vulnerable groups. He said the project supports government’s 10-fold economic growth strategy through agricultural transformation, but appealed for intervention to address flooding in Agwata Town Council, the absence of a Health Centre IV and ambulance services, as well as the low rural electrification coverage of about 30% in the constituency.

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Dokolo North MP Joseph Jones Ogwal made his speech before the Minister of Local Government.

Dokolo Woman MP Sarah Aguti Nyangkori expressed concern over delays in the construction of Amodo Bridge despite the government having released sh500 million for the project.

Erute North MP Patrick Ongom Aregedeng appealed to the Ministry of Local Government to prioritise construction of offices for the five administrative sub-counties in Lira District, saying the units have operated for more than five years while renting office space in trading centres.

Dokolo Resident District Commissioner Barbra Akech said the district remained peaceful and pledged full support in the fight against corruption, noting that the RUDSEC roads would improve farmers’ access to markets. She also revealed that 71 Parish Development Model (PDM) SACCOs in Dokolo had so far received sh28 billion, benefiting 26,160 households.

Dokolo District chairperson Peter Ogwang asked the ministry to allow local leaders to jointly supervise the implementation of the RUDSEC road project to ensure quality work. He also appealed for increased road maintenance funding, construction of a maternity ward at Dokolo Health Centre IV and its elevation to district hospital status, improved health services on Bata Island, and urgent intervention to improve poor school infrastructure, including inadequate pit latrines and delayed government takeover of community schools.

Responding to the minister’s inquiry on road equipment distribution, Lira District chairperson RCM Okello Orik said the district had not received any new equipment and continues to rely on ageing machinery that frequently breaks down, affecting road construction and maintenance. In response, Nameere pledged to follow up the matter with the relevant authorities.

On the government’s restocking programme, Dokolo Chief Administrative Officer Grandfil Oryno Omonda said 192 beneficiaries had each received sh5 million, while payments for another 282 beneficiaries were being processed. He explained that beneficiaries were selected through parish structures, with priority given to vulnerable groups.

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Dokolo Chief Administrative Officer Grandfil Oryno Omonda received the contract documents for Alwitmac-Awiri-Asalim road from Minister Nameere.

Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Assistant Commissioner in the Ministry of Local Government Silver Tindizirarira said Dokolo District will receive 98 kilometres of roads, including the 12.7-kilometre Alwitmac–Awiri–Asalim Road being constructed by JB United at a cost of sh1 billion. He added that the district has also been allocated sh8 billion for roads and sh1 billion for one market. Lira District will benefit from 66 kilometres of roads, including a 16.3-kilometre road awarded to Alliance Technical Services at a cost of sh1.3 billion, alongside sh8 billion for road works and sh1 billion for the construction of two markets at Amach and Aswa. Oyam District will receive 71 kilometres of roads and two markets at Minakulu and Loro Main Market, supported by sh8 billion for roads and sh1 billion for market infrastructure. He urged district leaders and communities to ensure proper maintenance of the infrastructure after completion to maximise its lifespan and impact.

The 724-kilometre road programme is being implemented under the €32.1 million Rural Development and Food Security (RUDSEC) Project, funded by the German Government through KfW Development Bank. The project seeks to improve rural connectivity, increase agricultural productivity, reduce transport costs, and enhance access to markets, schools, and health facilities across northern Uganda.