Kabale District leaders have raised concern over the poor condition of several national roads in the district, calling on the Ministry of Works and Transport to strengthen routine maintenance to keep the roads safe and motorable.
The concerns were raised on Thursday during a meeting between district leaders and officials from the Ministry of Works and Transport at the office of the Kabale District LCV chairperson. The ministry team was led by Assistant Commissioner for Roads, Eng. Reachel Ngonzebwa.
Among the roads highlighted was the Kabale-Lake Bunyonyi road, where leaders said contractor Samcrete Egypt Engineers and Contractors abandoned the works, leaving sections of the road in a poor and, in some places, impassable state.
Leaders also raised concern over sections of the Ntungamo-Kabale-Katuna road, particularly in Kaharo Sub-county, where the top layer of the road was removed but works were not completed. They said the unfinished sections pose a danger to motorists and other road users.
Other roads cited included the Butobere-Muyumbu-Rwamucucu road, which has developed large gullies, making it difficult to use, and the Old Kabale Road, where potholes and other defects reportedly take long to be repaired.
Kabale District LCV Chairperson Denis Nzeirwe Ndyomugyenyi also raised concern over drainage along the Kabale-Katuna road, saying blocked drainage channels and accumulated soil have caused water to flow onto the road surface, accelerating its deterioration.
Nzeirwe further questioned the valuation of properties belonging to people affected by the proposed Katuna-Muko road project, citing alleged inconsistencies in the valuation process.
He said some properties in town councils had reportedly been valued lower than comparable properties in rural sub-counties.
The Kabale Resident District Commissioner, Maj Godfrey Katamba, questioned the limited involvement of district leaders in monitoring and supervising projects implemented on national roads.
Maj Katamba also raised concern over the quality of some centrally procured road works, accusing some contractors of doing shoddy work. He called for stronger measures against the theft of road furniture, including road signs and guardrails.
The leaders also raised concern over the unfinished long-distance truck parking facility at Katuna border, saying the incomplete facility continues to create challenges for truck operators and traffic management.
Responding to the concerns, Ngonzebwa acknowledged the challenges raised by the district leaders.
On the Kabale-Lake Bunyonyi road, she said it was unfortunate that the contractor abandoned the project, adding that discussions were under way to identify a new contractor.
She said the ministry would deploy engineers and workers to undertake emergency maintenance on the road before the onset of the rains.
Regarding the Ntungamo-Kabale-Katuna road, Ngonzebwa said works had already resumed on sections where the top layer had been removed.
She added that the ministry planned to address challenges on the Butobere-Muyumbu-Rwamucucu road and the Old Kabale Road during the current quarter.
On the valuation of properties affected by the Katuna-Muko road project, Ngonzebwa said a ministry team would return to conduct further assessments to ensure that affected persons receive fair compensation.
