By: Ismael Kasooha

PACKWACH

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed the Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja to investigate a multi-billion irrigation project in which government sunk over 64 billion shillings in Pakwach District but had stalled.

“When the President was in Pakwach in October during his campaign trail, the leaders raised the issue of Wadilai Irrigation Scheme which has failed to serve its intended purpose. Therefore, I’m here to investigate and revitalize the project as soon as possible,” said Nabbanja.

Prime Minister Nabbanja talking to one of the beneficiaries of the Wadelai Irrigation Scheme in Pakwach District

The Wadelai Irrigation Scheme in Pakwach District,  is a major project under the AfDB-funded FIEFOC-2 program, designed to boost food security and incomes for over 3,000 farmers by enabling year-round irrigation for crops like rice, maize, and vegetables.

The president directed the prime minister to resolve issues that led to the stalling of works at Wadelai Irrigation scheme. To address the concerns a new contractor, Ambitious construction Uganda Limited, has been awarded the works.

Coil Limited, failed to complete the works in time that led to flooding of canals affecting homesteads and gardens in the neighbourhood.

Under the revised scope of work, the contractor must construct the headworks, critical sections of the spillway, main canal works and the completion of the primary, secondary, tertiary and quadrant canals.

The Prime Minister, after the site visit, emphasized the project’s potential contribution to the socio-economic transformation in the area and directed the contractor to fast-track its implementation.

“The government has invested a lot of money in this project but it has not served the intended people. Therefore, you need to double your efforts to have this project completed as soon as possible,” Nabbanja told the contractor.

94-year-old Mzee Faustin Chunyai, a retired magistrate and an elder in the Paten community in Pakwach District, said that the project will greatly improve the livelihoods of the people although they had misunderstood its purpose.

“We are happy that the government has revitalized the completion of the project so that our people can carry out all-year round farming to improve on their household incomes,” said Chunyai.

The Pakwach LC V Chairman Robert Omito told the Prime Minister that the Ministry of Water and Environment had not involved the district leadership in the implementation of the project causing a lot of fear among the residents.

“We were not briefed on how the project will be implemented nor were we involved in monitoring its implementation. Going forward the Ministry should involve the Local Government because it is on ground,” said Omito.

When the government conceived the project in 2018, a lot has been registered however the irrigation project intended to benefit over 3000 farmers has not created the impact the president intended it to bring to poor communities of Wadelai in Pakwach District.

The Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja today spent part of the day inspecting the project following President Museveni directive to make sure that there is value for money in 64 billion shillings injected into the irrigation scheme.

Despite the challenges some of the farmers said they have registered positive progress out of poverty.

The Prime Minister advised the farmers to utilize the irrigation scheme by growing high value crops in-order realize the intended benefit of the project.

The contractor assured the Prime Minister that the project shall be completed in the month of March 2026.

Later in the day, the Prime Minister met leaders of Pakwach District to assess service delivery and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving service delivery in the area.

Nabbanja assured residents of Pakwach that the government is addressing concerns raised during the recent NRM presidential candidate’s campaign engagements in the District.

Key among the concerns are illegal fishing activities on the River Nile and the conduct of the Fisheries Protection Unit in enforcing fishing regulations.

Nabbanja said President Museveni has already taken decisions on the matter, including the establishment of a special fund aimed at supporting fishing communities affected by enforcement measures.

She commended residents for their continued support of the NRM government and urged them to actively participate in ongoing government development programmes.

Meanwhile, the Woman Member of Parliament for Pakwach District, Jane Pacuto, asked the Prime Minister to remind the President about outstanding development priorities in the district, including infrastructure and social services.

End