Bad road irks Hoima farmers

HOIMA– Farmers in Kibugumbya parish in Kyabigambire Sub-county in Hoima district Hoima have attributed the poor state of a popular road to their leaders, saying they have not acted despite several complaints.

According to the farmers, the 4-kilometre road which connects the villages of Kubugumbya, Kiwhera, Bulinda and Kasomoro all in Hoima district and Kyarwiru in Hoima City has spent about 20 years without being rehabilitated.

Speaking during a consultative meeting organised on Sunday by Bugahya County Members of Parliament, Pius Wakabi, the residents who were airing out issues affecting them, said that they have for many years petitioned the district leadership to work on the road in vain.

According to them, the road is the main route that connects the farmers to markets in Hoima City.

Amlan Kagoro, one of the residents said most motorists no longer use the road as it has deep potholes and gullies that hinder the residents from accessing social services such as health and education facilities.

This situation two weeks ago forced the residents to demonstrate and blocked this road by planting crops which included Banan, Yams and trees as they expressed their dissatisfaction.

Ntegeka Ahamandi, another resident, said farmers in the area are being cheated by middlemen who offer low prices for the produce.

He added that the affected villages produce sweet potatoes, cassava, maize, and banana, with some farmers growing the crops on a commercial basis.

The area MP Wakabi blamed the local leaders for not focusing on serving the people who voted them into office.

He noted that some issues affecting communities such as poor roads and lack of water sources among others are not the mandate of the lawmakers.

He called on the residents to remain calm and promised to engage the Hoima district works department to rehabilitate the road.

The acting Hoima district chairperson, Benson Chiche said that the district has several roads in poor condition but has no funds to work on them due to budget cuts.

https://thecooperator.news/farmers-blame-bad-roads-for-premature-coffee-harvests/

Buy your copy of thecooperator magazine from one of our country-wide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news