Written By | Jovita Hasto
Mpira Street road that has affected transport in Ibanda district
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IBANDA
Authorities in Ibanda District have commenced the rehabilitation of roads that have remained in poor condition for more than a decade.
The roads earmarked for rehabilitation include the 16.5-kilometre Karangara–Kanywambogo Road in Kicuzi and Rukiri sub-counties, in Ibanda South Constituency, at a cost of Shs150 million, and the 8-kilometre Kafunjo Road in Ishongoror Town Council, Ibanda North Constituency, which will cost Shs90 million.
The district maintains 40 roads, and the rehabilitation comes at a time when residents in the affected areas face challenges transporting agricultural produce, livestock and people. In Kicuzi Sub-county, movement has been particularly difficult because rocks and gravel have blocked sections of the road.
Road works to take three months
Mr John Muhoozi, the Ibanda District Secretary for Works, said the rehabilitation of the Karangara–Kanywambogo Road is expected to take three months because of its length and challenging terrain.
He said the road would be upgraded to a Class II gravel road because the district has several other roads that also require attention.
“The workload is too much because we shall first level the ground, look for gravel and then grade it. This is not going to be tarmacked because the budget we have at the moment cannot sustain first-class works,” he said.
Nyakasero road in Ishongororo town council
Residents urged to respect road reserves
Ibanda District Chairperson Happy Herbert Mayanja urged residents to respect road reserves to avoid having their property affected during the rehabilitation works.
Mayanja said some residents had established plantations and gardens within road reserves and called on them to cooperate with the technical team before and during construction.
“We call upon residents in the areas where construction will take place to comply with the technical team and avoid conflicts when they are told that some crops or buildings are within the road reserve. This will ensure timely completion of the works,” he said.
Leaders call for increased funding
Mr John Paul Ninkusiima, the Ibanda South legislator, said the district has many roads in need of construction and rehabilitation, but limited funding has constrained the work.
He said the Shs1 billion allocated to each local government for road works is insufficient to meet the needs of the district and called on the Government to increase funding.
“As leaders, we want the Government to increase funding for roads because the Shs1 billion given to each local government is not enough to sustain all the works. There are many roads. This particular project is not only for this road but also for other roads across Ibanda,” Ninkusiima said.
Residents cite land access challenges
Mr Innocent Bakira, a resident of Kicuzi Sub-county, attributed some of the delays in improving roads to residents who have refused to allow roads to pass through their land.
He said poor road conditions continue to affect residents' ability to travel and transport agricultural produce and livestock to markets.
“We have a challenge of residents who cannot allow the road to pass through their land, and that is why it is still a challenge for us to move easily,” he said.
RDC warns against misuse of funds
Mr Richard Banjo, the Ibanda District Assistant Resident Commissioner, said the RDC's office would closely monitor the projects to ensure that funds are not diverted and that the works are completed on time.
He warned against delays and embezzlement of funds and emphasised the need for proper accountability.
“The office of the RDC shall ensure that all government works are supervised until completion. We want to ensure that if the quotation indicates this, then it is also reflected on the ground. We shall not allow embezzlement of funds,” he said.
