KAMPALA, UGANDA: The Titular Head of the Muslim Community in Uganda Prince Kassim Nakibinge has asked the government to increase the budget for the construction and renovation of the roads in Kampala.
According to Nakibinge, the roads in the city are in a poor state and have resulted in the loss of lives. Nakibinge made the call while delivering his speech to celebrate Eid Al Fitr shortly after the prayers at Kibuli Mosque.
Nakibinge’s call follows a public outcry that led to an online protest against the sorry state of roads in Kampala. Ugandans led by Dr Spire Ssentongo, a cartoonist and lecturer of Philosophy at Makerere University Kampala held an online exhibition of the potholes in Kampala.
During the exhibition Ugandans posted on Twitter pictures of different potholes in their respective localities around Kampala. The exhibition was intended to expose the dire situation in which the roads are in and prompt the City Authorities and government at large to take action.
On Wednesday, President Museveni ordered the Ministry of Finance to release with immediate effect six billion shillings for the rehabilitation of roads in the city.
Prince Nakibinge also cautioned road users against reckless driving since human behavior is the main cause of road crashes.
He also asked the Ministry of Works and Transport also to erect road signs, especially on highways.
The Kibuli Muslims also want the government to release all political prisoners who have been in various detention facilities in the country before, during, and after the 2021 elections and they want those with cases to be accordingly charged and those innocent to be released instead of being kept in jail for long.
Speaking at the prayers, Kampala Capital City Authority Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago said that the six billion Shillings is inadequate and will not achieve its intended purpose because of corruption.
The Kabaka of Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi in a speech read by the Deputy Prime Minister for Buganda Kingdom Twaha Kawaase asked the government to invest more in social services especially schools and health centers.
Kawempe North MP Muhammad Ssegirinya thanked Prince Nakibinge for his role in his release together with Makindye West MP Allan Ssewanyana.
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