The Rubanda District Chairperson Stephen Ampeire Kasyaba has appealed to the government to increase road maintenance funding for hilly districts, arguing that the current allocation is insufficient to maintain the district’s vast road network.
Kasyaba made the appeal over the weekend during an inspection of roads and bridges by Members of Parliament in the district led by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and Rubanda East MP, Henry Musasizi Ariganyira. The inspection was also attended by Rubanda District Woman MP Evelyn Ninsiima Kikafunda and Rubanda West MP Bruce Kabaasa.
According to Kasyaba, Rubanda District maintains about 1,200 kilometres of roads but receives only Shs1 billion annually for road maintenance. He noted that the allocation is the same amount given to municipalities with road networks of about 150 kilometres, despite them benefiting from additional funding under the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) programme.
Kasyaba said the district’s mountainous terrain requires more resources, particularly for the construction of bridges, culverts and drainage structures.
“Without bridges, no road can last long. Constructing a standard bridge crossing costs between Shs30 million and Shs40 million. We are requesting special consideration for road funding in Kigezi because of the challenging terrain,” Kasyaba said.
He appealed to Members of Parliament from the Kigezi sub-region to work together and lobby the government for a special road maintenance fund to support hilly districts, especially during the rainy season.
Kasyaba said although most roads in the district are currently passable, they could become impassable by December due to the anticipated heavy rains if additional funding is not secured. He warned that poor roads would disrupt trade and service delivery, and called for continued cooperation between district leaders and Members of Parliament to improve road infrastructure.
CUE IN KASYABA…ON ROAD FUND… RR//
Minister Musasizi acknowledged that while Rubanda’s road network is generally in good condition, several sections require culverts, drainage channels and improvements in wetland areas.
He revealed that engineers from the Ministry of Works and Transport had already been deployed to survey Nyamweru Bridge and Kakarisa Bridge as part of ongoing government efforts to improve transport connectivity in the district.
Musasizi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving road infrastructure to facilitate the movement of people, goods and services across Rubanda District.
CUE IN MINISTER MUSASIZI…ON THE MATTER… RR//
