Commissioning of Shs61 billion Wadelai irrigation scheme deferred again

Farmers in Pakwach District will have to wait a little longer for the official launch of the multi-billion agricultural project after the commissioning of the Wadelai Irrigation Scheme was deferred by one month. State Minister for Water, Ms Aisha Sekindi, issued the ultimatum during an inspection tour on October 30, 2026, directing Ambitious Construction Company Limited to rectify remaining defects and unfinished work.

Originally scheduled for completion in 2017, the Shs61 billion project has faced a series of setbacks, including land acquisition disputes, compensation delays, and contractor changes. Initial works were undertaken by Coil Limited in a joint venture with Nasr General Contracting Company, which eventually withdrew in 2023. Government records indicate that expenditure on the project has since surpassed Shs64 billion as of January 2026.

Following guidance from President Yoweri Museveni, Ambitious Construction Company Limited took over the remaining works in late 2025. While Minister Sekindi expressed satisfaction with the general progress, she stressed that the remaining infrastructure issues must be fully resolved before she returns for a final assessment.

Despite the delayed commissioning, the project is already benefiting thousands of local farmers by enabling year-round cultivation of crops like rice and vegetables, transforming household incomes and strengthening food security in the region. Beneficiaries have nonetheless raised secondary challenges, including waterlogging due to poor drainage, boundary disputes, a lack of reliable markets, and the need for improved seed varieties.

Local leaders, including Pakwach District LC5 Chairperson Shaban Ofoi and Jonam County MP Marshall Alenyo, supported the decision to withhold commissioning until the infrastructure meets the required standards. They further appealed for critical supplementary support, such as extended electricity grids, improved access roads, a dedicated weather station, and additional agricultural machinery.

Read more about this development in the Daily Monitor.