Government commissions construction materials testing laboratory in Karamoja

The government, through the Ministry of Works and Transport has commissioned a construction materials-testing laboratory in Karamoja sub region.

The Moroto Regional Materials Testing Laboratory, located in Nawanatau Village in Loputuk Sub County will help in the testing of construction of materials to ensure suitability for construction purposes and also enhance research through identification and mapping of materials sources in the region.

Musa Ecweru the Minister of State for Works, says the new laboratory, sitting on a 13- acre piece of land is expected to serve the construction industry in the Karamoja Sub-Region and other neighbouring districts since existing laboratories are located far off.

“We have been rushing so much to do construction of all types including road construction without clinical assessment of the materials which are used for that construction, that is why we are seeing continuously failing infrastructure sometimes collapsing building sometimes building which are commissioned we witness cracks while those colonial building have continued withstanding the test of time.” Mr. Ecweru said.

Meanwhile Eng. Tonny Mugenyi, the Assistant Commissioner in charge of materials testing and research at the Ministry of Works and Transport says that the laboratory will generate non-tax revenue for the government.

The construction works of Moroto Regional Materials Testing Laboratory commenced on 13 January 2022 and were substantially completed on 7th November 2023.

The laboratory is accompanied with the three- unit’s staff residence, water borne toilet blocks, generator house, piped water works and a perimeter wall among other amenities. The project was constructed at a cost of UGX 2.2 billion.

Written by Barbra Anyait