MBARARA CITY, May 28, 2025 –– Mbarara City Council has officially launched the rehabilitation of Col. Ndahendekire Road at a cost of Shs 1.5 billion, in a project aimed at easing traffic congestion and boosting commerce in the rapidly growing city.
The 400-metre road, located in Mandela Cell, Kakoba Ward, has been in a state of disrepair for decades, according to Mbarara City Mayor Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi. He expressed appreciation to the council’s technical staff and elected officials for prioritising the road.
“I want to thank the Town Clerk for being a principled and diligent person. Without her commitment, this road would never have been considered for rehabilitation,” Kakyebezi said at the launch event erly this week.
Bonny Tashobya, Speaker of Mbarara City Council, explained that part of the funds for the project were sourced from local revenue, which was also used to purchase a grader to improve road maintenance. However, he acknowledged that the city lacks sufficient equipment and funding to address all its infrastructure needs.
“As a former municipality, we managed to buy one grader, but with the elevation to city status and the expansion of divisions and wards, this single grader is no longer enough. We now urgently need more equipment and increased road funding,” Tashobya said.
He further criticised the national budget allocation, noting that Mbarara City continues to receive funding as though it were still a municipality, despite having increased demands in terms of infrastructure and service delivery.
“For the past five years, our funding has not changed, yet our responsibilities have increased. We now have more schools, health centres, and roads to manage. We appeal to the central government to increase our budget to match our city status,” he added.
John Sekyanzi, Deputy Mayor for Mbarara City South, welcomed the road project but made a rather unconventional appeal to the contractor.
“We are grateful for this development. Residents have long complained about the dusty and impassable road,” Sekyanzi said. “However, I urge the contractor to remind his workers that they are here to work, not to impregnate our young girls and leave them vulnerable.”
He also called upon local residents to cooperate with the contractor to ensure timely completion of the works.
City Town Clerk Justine Barekye encouraged community leaders to mobilise residents to support the project, highlighting its economic potential.
“This road, once completed, will improve sanitation, increase rental values, and stimulate business growth in the area,” Barekye stated.
Catherine Kamwine, Mbarara City Resident City Commissioner [RCC], urged the council to be transparent by sharing bills of quantities with the public to ensure effective monitoring and value for money.
Edson Kwarikunda, Managing Director of Kwed Construction Ltd, the company contracted for the works, pledged to complete the road within three months.
Stanley Katembeya, a senior citizen and local businessman, challenged the city authorities to always construct roads to proper standards to help reduce road accidents and support business growth.
Mbarara City continues to grow at a rapid pace. Recently, it was ranked the top-performing local government in Uganda for local revenue collection and efficient resource utilisation.
https://thecooperator.news/minister-attributes-bad-roads-to-shs-1-3trn-unra-debt/
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