EDITOR
The Mbarara District Roads Committee, chaired by Kashari North Member of Parliament Hon. Bataringaya Bazil Rwankwene, has issued a 30-day ultimatum to both the former district engineer, Eng. William Bananuka, and his successor, Eng. Andrew Baguma, to address substandard road works completed with the first installment of one billion shillings from the central government.
The one billion shillings were allocated by the central government through the Uganda Road Fund to improve roads in every local government across the country. However, the Mbarara district engineers are accused of misusing the funds, resulting in poor roadworks. This was discovered during a one-day inspection held on December 23, 2024.
After realizing the issues with the roads, Eng. William Bananuka transferred his services to Mbarara City, where he is currently serving.
Hon. Bataringaya Bazil Rwankwene emphasized that both engineers, William Bananuka and Andrew Baguma, must be held accountable for their work, ensuring that it aligns with the approved work plan. He warned that failure to rectify the defects would lead to serious consequences.
Additionally, the committee has scheduled a follow-up meeting for February 13, 2025, to inspect the progress and a sitting on February 14, 2025, to discuss the findings.
The Deputy Resident District Commissioner (DRDC) of Mbarara, Mr. Kaswabuli Simon Peter, who represents the Chief Monitor of Government Programs, stated that some roads had not been constructed properly. He revealed that the Mbarara District Roads Committee had tasked both engineers with rectifying the deficiencies, giving them a deadline of February 3, 2025. If they fail to comply, they will face severe repercussions.
Mbarara District Woman Member of Parliament, Hon. Ayebare Margaret Rwebyambu, also highlighted the issue, noting that areas where murram and culverts should have been installed were left unaddressed. As a result, during the wet season, these areas are likely to flood, disrupting the transportation of goods and services.
