Kikuube district leaders ask govt to take over bad road

KIKUUBE– Kikuube district local government leaders and residents want the  Ministry of Works and Transport to take over the Kabwoya-Maya, Maya -Kyarujumba – Kakindo road which they say is in a poor state and needs urgent rehabilitation.

The road connect is supposed to Kabwoya and Kakindo sub-counties in Kikuube and Kakumiro districts, respectively.  The two sub-counties are separated by a wetland on Kadiki River which floods the road, thus affecting travelers, as a bridge is also missing.

Alex Byensi, the Kikuube district councilor for Kabwoya Upper Sub-county said the central government should construct the bridge across the river as the two districts don’t have the money. If constricted, the bridge will ease the movement of people and their goods, Byensi said.

He noted that Kikuube and Kakumiro districts have always tried to rehabilitate the road even though the two districts have failed to erect a bridge across the river to facilitate easy transportation.

Burasiyo Byekwaso, the chairman LC1Rwetahi Village in Kabwoya Sub-county explained that the road was opened in 1970 with a bridge but it collapsed in 1980 and has never been replaced since then.

He noted that no vehicle crosses the river which he said has affected trade between the two districts. He said the residents have a lot of agricultural products but are unable to sell them to Kakumiro and Mubende districts due to lack of connectivity.

Emmy Arinaitwe, the Kikuube District Engineer supported the demands of the residents and local leaders, saying work on the river project requires over Shs 4 billion.

He noted the scope of work on this drive is huge and requires a lot of box culverts and other materials that need a lot of funding. He added that the district budget was reduced to sh400 million adding that such money cannot do anything on this river.

Amlan Tumusime the Kikuube district resident commissioner was optimistic that the government will take up the road and put up a bridge.   He noted that lack of connectivity is hindering the locals from accessing social services such as markets, health facilities, and schools.

When contacted for a comment Fred Byamukama, the State Minister for Works and Transport said government is ready to take up the road, adding that recently a feasibility study was done as one of the preparations to begin works.

He said the government is lobbying for money but promised that within this financial year, the government will establish a bridge across the river to ease transportation.

https://thecooperator.news/kikuube-residents-pick-tools-to-repair-road/

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