Kaliro, Uganda: Residents of Bulamogi County in Kaliro District have welcomed a road rehabilitation initiative launched by area Member of Parliament Benard Mugoya Mutebi, popularly known as Agro Ben, using personal resources to improve roads across the constituency.
Mugoya launched the works in Gadumire Sub-county, identified by local leaders as one of the areas most affected by poor and impassable roads.
The initiative started with the Buyuge-Isalo landing site road, which residents said had remained in poor condition for years after disagreements between the sub-county and district authorities over responsibility for its maintenance.
The road is heavily used by fish and mukene traders travelling to and from the landing site.
Gadumire Sub-county Chairperson Geoffrey Kulata said the failure to establish which level of local government was responsible for the road had contributed to its deterioration. “The sub-county recognized it as a district road, and the district recognized it as a sub-county road,” Kulata said.
He said the condition of the road had severely affected transport, with potholes and damaged swamp sections making movement difficult and contributing to accidents.
Kulata welcomed Mugoya’s intervention, describing it as timely for residents and traders who depend on the road.
Mugoya said the road works form part of his campaign pledges and are intended to supplement government efforts amid limited resources at the district level.
“I promise to cover all the 11 sub-counties with the construction of at least 11 kilometers in each sub-county. I ask leaders from respective sub counties to choose the poor roads for rehabilitation,” Mugoya said.
The MP also pledged to support community livelihoods through interventions targeting Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations (SACCOs), community groups and young people. He said he would also monitor government programmes to ensure they benefit ordinary residents.
Kaliro District Engineer David Edeeya said the district faces a major road maintenance challenge because of limited funding.
He commended Mugoya for supporting road rehabilitation and pledged technical support to ensure the roads under the initiative are constructed to the required standards.
At the local level, Gadumire Sub-county District Councillor Sylvia Babigumira asked the MP to extend support to women’s groups to enable them to establish income-generating activities.
She also appealed to him to champion the construction of a girls’ dormitory at Gadumire Seed Secondary School.
Babigumira said some girls travel long distances to access education and face challenges along the poor roads, which she said contribute to school dropouts.
Residents along the Buyuge-Isalo landing site road welcomed the works, saying the poor condition of the road had affected their homes, businesses and children’s access to school.
Esther Ruth Keko, a resident along the road, said poor drainage had caused water to enter her home. “My house has been flooded by water from the road due to poor drainage,” Keko said.
Florence Namaganda, a student, said the muddy conditions had made travelling to school difficult. “We have been forced to remove our shoes as we walk to school because of the mud,” Namaganda said.
Other residents reported accidents along the affected roads and said the rehabilitation would improve transport and access to markets and social services.
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