KIKUUBE, May 21, 2025 — Residents of Ruguse Parish in Bugambe Sub-county, Kikuube district, have raised concerns over the deteriorating condition of several feeder roads in the area, which they say is affecting their livelihoods and access to essential services.
According to the locals, the roads have become almost impassable due to deep potholes, making transportation of agricultural produce and daily movement extremely difficult.
Francis Kaahwa, a resident, cited the Kyarubanga–Rwebitera–Karatumu Road as a major concern. He revealed that despite repeated petitions to local leaders, the road has not been rehabilitated for over 20 years.
“This road has been in a deplorable state for decades. We are farmers growing maize, beans, and bananas, but we cannot access markets. Middlemen take advantage of our situation, a kilo of maize that should sell for Shs 1,000 is bought at just Shs 600. We’ve appealed to our leaders, but nothing has been done,” said Kaahwa.
He added that poor road infrastructure has hindered access to key services such as healthcare, education, and markets. “Pregnant women are especially affected. Reaching a hospital is nearly impossible when the roads are flooded during the rainy season or dangerously dusty in the dry season,” he noted.
Many residents, most of whom are subsistence farmers, blamed the Bugambe Sub-county leadership for neglecting the state of the roads for decades.
However, in an interview on Sunday, Swell Bigabwekya, the Councillor representing Ruguse Parish, confirmed that many feeder roads in the area have gone unrepaired for years. He said the poor road conditions have rendered them impassable.
“Bugambe Sub-county lacks the financial capacity to rehabilitate these roads due to its limited local revenue base,” Bigabwekya explained. “The bridge along the Kyarubanga–Rwebitera–Karatumu Road has collapsed, making it extremely difficult for residents to access Kyakirube Health Centre III and Ruguse Primary School.”
He added that the responsibility for road rehabilitation lies with the Kikuube District Local Government, which has yet to intervene.
“Many residents who try to seek healthcare at Karongo Health Centre III in Hoima City are sent back to nearby facilities, which they still can’t reach because of the poor roads,” Bigabwekya added.
Chris Nkalu, the Speaker of Kikuube District and Councillor for Bugambe Sub-county, acknowledged the poor condition of the Kyarubanga–Rwebitera–Karatumu Road. He attributed the delay in rehabilitation of the road to budgetary constraints.
However, Nkalu assured residents that the road has been included in the 2025/2026 financial year budget and is scheduled to be worked on in the first quarter.
https://thecooperator.news/leaders-demand-for-fast-rehabilitation-of-roads/
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