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Masindi district chairperson, Cosmas Byaruhanga, has expressed concern over the overwhelming challenges the local government faces in maintaining its extensive road network.
The district, with over 400 kilometres of roads, is allocated just sh1.2b for maintenance in the current fiscal year.
During a recent meeting with district leadership and technocrats, along with Allen Kagina, the Executive Director of the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), Byaruhanga, appealed for UNRA to take over some roads that exceed the district’s capacity to manage.
“We cannot effectively maintain these roads with just sh1.2b. Some roads consume a significant portion of our budget, hampering service delivery in other vital areas. We humbly request that you take over these roads, to allow us focus on those we can manage,” Byaruhanga said.
Byaruhanga mentioned roads, including Kitamba-Byebega-Kijunjubwa, Pakanyi-Nyakarongo, and Katagurukwa-Kinumi-Kisidizi, which require bigger resource allocation.
Byaruhanga also urged Kagina to consider tarmacking key routes that connect Masindi to neighbouring districts.
He named them as Masindi-Rwenkunye-Apac, Masindi-Bulyamusenyi-Nakaseke, Ikoba-Ntooma- Kyankwanzi, and the Karongo-Katanga-Kigorobya-Hoima roads.
He recognised the government’s efforts in tarmacking 10 critical roads, which he believes have significantly improved the region’s infrastructure, with approximately 50% of the roads now ‘neatly’ paved.
The district Chairperson, expressed displeasure over the delayed completion of the Biiso-Masindi road, saying that some sections are in poor condition and yet the road has become a vital alternative route to West Nile since the closure of Karuma Bridge for repair.
“We have witnessed a rise in accidents due to impassable sections,” he added.
In response, Kagina advised Masindi’s leadership to follow the proper channels for roads they wish to transfer to the central government.
About the delays in completing the Masindi-Biiso road, she attributed it to lack of funding. However, she assured that since it is part of the 10 critical roads, efforts will be made to expedite its completion and address any hazardous spots.
Kagina has been in the Bunyoro region to assess the ongoing construction progress of these critical oil roads.
