The
state minister of works and transport Hon Byamukama Fred has given Uganda
National Roads Authority (UNRA) four days ultimatum to start repairing roads in
Kisoro district. Honorable minister Byamukama Fred made the directive today
during his visit in Kisoro district to assess the different government programs
in the district.
Minister
Byamukama was on Wednesday 16th March, 2022 in Kisoro assessing
transport system along the border and Nyakabande airstrip.
His directive comes following complaints from
district leaders who told him that UNRA abandoned its roads in the district especially
tourism roads rendering inaccessible to many areas. Both the Kisoro district
RDC retired captain Peter Mugisha and Hon Sarah Mateke told the minister
Byamukama Fred that most of the roads in the district are inaccessible due to
landslides hence hindering movement of goods and services.
Hon minister Sarah Mateke requested ministry of
works and transport to give special consideration to Kisoro district due to its
terrain nature. She also requested a quick intervention over Kanyamateke Bridge
in Busanza Sub County saying that it is in a sorry state and puts the lives of
people at risks. She remined Minister Byamukama Fred that tourism roads and
Kanyamateke bridge were put in NRM manifesto since 2011 but they haven’t worked
on them.
The Kisoro district NRM vice chairperson,
Ndikuyeze Ramadhan told the Minister Byamukama Fred that delaying to work on
presidential pledges such as roads is demoralizing residents who vehemently
vote NRM party. He noted that residents in Kisoro need a return in terms of
social services as a way of rewarding them for supporting NRM government.
The district engineer, Karamira James told the
minister that Kisoro district received only 48 million shillings in this
quarter to maintain roads saying it is little money to do all the works.
The complaints from district leaders about UNRA
abandoning roads in the district angered minister Byamukama Fred hence ordering
officials from UNRA who were present to start repairing road networks in Kisoro
district. He gave them four days ultimatum to have started repairing roads
under their dockets in the district.
Hon minister Byamukama Fred also asked leaders
from Kisoro district through Minister Sarah Mateke to arrange a program and
meet him with other stakeholders in Kampala so that they can discuss on how
they can increase road funds for Kisoro district. He also promised that ministry
of works and transport will repair Kanyamateke Bridge as soon as possible.
