ARUA CITY — In a powerful display of fiscal independence and local government initiative, Arua City has unveiled a brand-new shs1.2 billion motor grader, fully funded through revenue raised locally, a milestone hailed as a symbol of progress and self-reliance in Uganda’s urban transformation journey.
The grader was officially commissioned today by the Minister for Local Government, Raphael Magyezi, who lauded the city’s leadership and citizens for their commitment to development through homegrown financing.
“This grader belongs to the people of Arua. It must be protected, maintained, and used responsibly to serve the community,” said minister during the commissioning ceremony held at Arua City headquarters.
The Minister noted that the Government is committed to equipping all cities with road machinery to improve infrastructure, boost connectivity, and enhance public service delivery, especially in rapidly expanding urban centers.
In the 2024/2025 financial year, Arua City collected shs6.7 billion in local revenue, and projects to grow that figure to shs7.5 billion in FY 2025/2026. The grader, purchased entirely from these funds, places Arua among a select group of cities, including Lira, Mbale, Mbarara, Nansana, Makindye, and Kira, that are now investing in road infrastructure using internally generated resources.
The City Clerk, David Kyasanku, emphasized the transformational impact the grader is expected to have on Arua’s 550km road network. For years, the city depended on borrowed equipment from neighboring districts like Obongi, an unreliable and costly arrangement.
“Hiring a grader cost us shs1.5 million per day. It was simply unsustainable,” Kyasanku explained. “This acquisition is a game-changer. It will help us open access roads to schools, hospitals, markets, and communities, ultimately improving service delivery citywide.”
The new machine is expected to significantly improve the city’s capacity to maintain roads, respond to infrastructure emergencies, and support development in underserved areas.
The event drew stakeholders from across sectors, including officials from the Ministry of Local Government’s Urban Administration Department, district political and technical staff, members of the private sector, and local residents.
The turnout underscored the importance of the grader not just as a machine, but as a symbol of Arua’s determination to chart its own course toward development.
As urban centers across Uganda compete to attract investment and deliver quality services, Arua’s bold move to fund critical infrastructure with its own revenue sends a powerful message: decentralization works.
