Kabale District authorities have launched the rehabilitation of three community access roads covering a combined 58.2 kilometres to improve connectivity, ease access to markets and facilitate the transportation of agricultural produce.
The works, funded through the Shs1 billion Road Maintenance Grant, are expected to improve road conditions in several sub-counties and support economic activities among rural communities.
Kabale District Engineer Januario Turinawe Bagamuhunda said the roads earmarked for rehabilitation include the 23.9-kilometre Bushuro-Rwakihiirwa-Rwene road, which traverses Maziba and Buhara sub-counties at a cost of Shs203.15 million.
The second is the 10-kilometre Kakoma-Butuza-Kyasano-Bunagana road in Kamuganguzi Sub-county, estimated to cost Shs85 million.
The third is the 24.3-kilometre Rwonkoronga-Nyombi-Kyevu-Kagoma-Katete Nkora road, which serves Kahungye and Butanda sub-counties and is expected to cost Shs206.55 million.
Bagamuhunda said the rehabilitation works would involve site preparation, road clearing, earthworks and drainage improvements to enhance the condition and usability of the roads.
CUE IN BAGAMUHUNDA….ON ROAD WORKS… RR//
Kabale District Chief Administrative Officer Robert Mugabe urged residents in the beneficiary communities to monitor the works and report any substandard construction to ensure quality and value for public funds.
Mugabe said improved road connectivity should encourage farmers to embrace commercial agriculture by easing the transportation of produce to markets and improving access to other economic opportunities.
He also called on residents to participate in government socio-economic and livelihood programmes aimed at increasing household incomes and transitioning communities into the money economy.
CUE IN MUGABE….ON ROADS… RR//
Kabale District LCV Chairperson Denis Nzeirwe Ndyomugyenyi urged residents and local leaders to take ownership of the projects and closely supervise the works to ensure value for money.
Ndyomugyenyi proposed that communities use the monthly National Cleaning Day to maintain roads and drainage channels, saying routine maintenance would help preserve the infrastructure and extend its lifespan.
CUE IN NZEIRWE….ON VALUE FOR MONEY… RR//
He said the district also intended to widen the roads to the required specifications to accommodate their growing importance in transporting agricultural produce and other goods.
Ndyomugyenyi called on local leaders to mobilise residents to support the planned widening and avoid actions that could frustrate efforts to improve road infrastructure.
CUE IN NZEIRWE….ON WIDENING THE ROADS… RR//
Kabale Resident District Commissioner Maj. Godfrey Katamba said the National Resistance Movement (NRM) manifesto prioritises district and community access roads as part of efforts to improve connectivity and access to markets.
Katamba said the government intended to increase the Road Maintenance Grant from Shs1 billion to Shs2 billion per district to strengthen road maintenance, although the proposed increase would depend on the relevant government funding arrangements.
He urged residents to support government programmes aimed at fighting household poverty and improving livelihoods.
CUE IN KATAMBA…..ON GOVERNMENT FUNDING… RR//.
