(Ecofin Agency) - Uganda’s government in partnership with Korea Rural Community Corp (KRC), is preparing in the Kibuku and Palissa districts, located in the Eastern parts of the country, a Sh4.5 trillion ($1.28 billion) irrigation project which will be spear-headed by the Ministry of Agriculture.

“The project, which is to be constructed on River Mpologoma in Pallisa and Kibuku districts, is to run for 49 years and is to be implemented in phases,” said Okassai Opolot, director of crop resources at Ministry of Agriculture.

The project, in addition to help fight prolonged drought in the Eastern region of Uganda, will, according to the official, “improve post-harvest processing facilities, distribution, agricultural produce marketing and also build capacity for poverty alleviation and job creation in rural areas”.