On the 18^th of May, 2024, The Moroto Regional Materials Laboratory was commissioned by the State Minister for Works, Hon. Musa Ecweru. Also present were the Engineer in Chief, Eng.Samson Bagonza, District Leadership, and several Members of Parliament from the region.

The Moroto laboratory joins a series of similar projects, including the Central Materials Laboratory in Kireka and a regional laboratory in Hoima, expected to be completed by FY 2024/25. These facilities are essential in updating road and bridge construction specifications and implementing regulatory frameworks for the Roads Act (2019).

The State Minister for Works, Hon. Musa Ecweru expressed his gratitude to the Contractor M/S King Albert Constructions Ltd, the Moroto District Local Government the beneficiary community, and all stakeholders for their dedication and cooperation, which were instrumental in the timely completion of the project.

He remarked that regardless of the different challenges, the local community's active participation and active collaboration was particularly valuable in achieving this milestone.

The Minister also promised that, the Ministry shall ensure the laboratory is adequately equipped and staffed to support the construction industry and manufacturing in the Karamoja subregion as well as tarmac the access road to ensure it is motorable whatever the weather.

At a cost of UGX 2,296,170,103, the facility boasts a comprehensive array of structures, including a main laboratory block, staff residences, waterborne toilet blocks, a generator house, a gatehouse/power room, a septic tank, waterworks, parking areas, and a perimeter wall. This lab will significantly benefit the construction industry in Karamoja and surrounding districts by providing essential material testing and research services, eliminating the need to transport samples to distant laboratories in Mbale, Jinja, and Kampala.

This initiative reflects the government's broader commitment to decentralizing quality infrastructure development. The Ministry is also undertaking the rehabilitation and expansion of the Central Materials Laboratory in Kireka, enhancing its role as a regional testing and training hub for highway engineers.

Furthermore, plans are afoot to construct and upgrade laboratories in ten additional cities and major towns, including Arua, Kabale, and Lira, as outlined in NDP-IV, ensuring nationwide coverage and support for construction quality control.

“The commissioning of the Moroto Regional Materials Testing Laboratory stands as a testament to the NRM Government’s commitment to improving the socio-economic well-being of Ugandans, fostering security, regional integration, and economic development in the Karamoja sub-region”, remarked the Minister.