Luuka, Uganda: Arab Contractors, the company undertaking the upgrade of the Iganga–Luuka–Kamuli road, has attributed the slow progress of works to delays in compensating project-affected persons.
The explanation comes days after Luuka South MP Stephen Kisa Bakubalwayo raised concerns in Parliament over the slow pace of construction on the road, which is expected to improve transport and trade links across Iganga, Luuka and Kamuli districts.
Speaking to journalists during a site inspection led by Luuka District LCV Chairperson Peter Kafuko Mulyandawo, Arab Contractors Community Liaison Officer Grace Mutale said the contractor cannot operate at full capacity until all affected landowners have been compensated.
“The delay has been caused by delays in compensation of the affected people. The mode of compensation is not systematic. Few people have been paid while others have been skipped. We therefore ask the leaders, especially the Members of Parliament in the three benefiting districts, to negotiate with the Ministry of Works and Transport so that all the affected people are compensated to enable the work to go on smoothly,” Mutale said.
She said incomplete compensation has limited the contractor’s access to some sections of the road reserve, affecting mobilisation and the continuity of construction activities.
Mutale also raised concern over vandalism along the road corridor, saying some community members were removing road signs and using them as firewood.
“We are dissatisfied with community members along the road who are stealing road signs to use as firewood. These signs are very important for road safety. When they are removed, we risk accidents and it also delays our work,” she said.
The 56-kilometre Iganga–Luuka–Kamuli road, which runs from Walugogo in Iganga District to Budhumbula in Kamuli District, is being upgraded to bitumen standard.
The project is expected to improve connectivity among the three districts, ease the transportation of agricultural produce and strengthen trade within the Busoga sub-region.
Luuka District LCV Chairperson Peter Kafuko Mulyandawo commended the contractor for the work completed so far but joined calls for government to expedite the compensation process.
“As a district we appreciate the work that has started. However, government needs to fast-track the compensation process. When people are not paid, they block the road and works stall. We ask the Ministry of Works to address this urgently,” Mulyandawo said.
He said district leaders would continue mobilising communities to cooperate with the contractor and protect project property.
The Luuka District Councillor for Nawampiti Sub-county, Christopher Mugaga, said the contractor had also committed to addressing some of the challenges residents face during construction.
“The contractor has agreed to water the towns of Luuka to minimise dust. He has also accepted to maintain the Kiyunga–Iganga road to make it passable as the tarmacking process goes on,” Mugaga said.
Residents living along the road have for months complained about excessive dust, particularly during the dry season, as well as poor detours that have made movement difficult.
MP Stephen Kisa Bakubalwayo had earlier told Parliament that constituents were frustrated by the slow pace of the works, saying the road is vital to farmers and traders in Luuka, Kamuli and Iganga.
Officials from the Ministry of Works and Transport have previously indicated that compensation for the Iganga–Luuka–Kamuli road is being handled in phases, with priority given to sections where construction is scheduled to begin.
Local leaders said they will continue engaging the Ministry and Parliament to ensure the remaining project-affected persons are compensated, allowing the contractor to access all sections and accelerate construction.
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