Kampala — PARLIAMENT has authorised the Government to borrow $10.642 million (about sh20b) for constructing 17 bridges in north and north-eastern Uganda.

The districts to benefit from the loan are Soroti with nine bridges, Kumi with two, Lira four and Moyo two.

The national economy committee chaired by Ibrahim Kaddunabi presented the authorisation report to the House on Wednesday.

Kaddunabi said the project was part of the Government's 10-year programme for road development running till 2010.

He said the Government would first rebuild the bridges washed away in the floods that ravaged the region last year.

The privatisation state minister, Rukia Chekamondo, said the bridges would enhance accessibility to production areas in the region to boost economic activities.

However, the opposition chief whip, Kassiano Wadri, complained that the funds secured for the first 22 bridges had not been utilised.