VANESSA A
Residents of Nombe Cell in Kyitondo Parish, Ihunga Subcounty, Ntungamo District decry the poor state of the Kyitondo–Nyakayenje–Kagamba road amidst receiving only promises from the subcounty leadership that the money is already on the account but has not been put to use for some time now.
It is reported the road was last worked on in the 1990s and since then they have never seen a grader work on it, especially the spot going to Nyakayenje Church of Uganda, as it is full of potholes.
Speaking to our reporter, Chairperson National Resistance Movement Nombe Cell, Benasi Turyarugayo, said the road is in a deteriorating state, highlighting that it has become impassable. Recently, a boda boda rider fell with a pregnant woman on the same spot where he hit a pothole, and she was taken to KIU.
He further said this same road connects to Kyitondo Health Centre III, highlighting that every time they ask about the funds to work on the road during council meetings, they are only told that the money is on the account for years now and nothing has been done, making people think the funds were embezzled and they are being lied to
Duncan Kanyegumye, a resident of Nombe Cell, echoed his voice on the poor state of the road, saying it is like a sweet potato garden and has become impassable for boda boda riders and big vehicles. He highlighted that they feel neglected and not counted as Ugandans because service delivery in their area is slow, citing that they have no electricity services and no access to clean water.
In his call, he appealed to the government through their leaders to have this road worked upon and to deliver other services as well, saying poor service delivery has led to underdevelopment.
Another resident known as Edson Atuzoore also showed his frustration, saying the road is now impassable. He gave an example that last year the Bishop almost lacked a route to Nyakayenje C.O.U for confirmation, and only the family of the Reverend and the church put some big stones to have the function done. But now it is in a deteriorating state as transportation fare has gone high from 1,000 shs to 5,000 shs from Kyitondo to Omukyimwani.
He further said even big cars can’t use that route, and that during the rainy season even foot road users can’t pass there, calling upon the government to take action.
However, speaking to the Chairperson LC3 Ihunga Subcounty, Nfunzakyi Deo, said they are aware of the poor state of the road and the money is already on the subcounty account but they have one challenge of a spoilt district tractor. He said they had wanted to hire one but the government laws don’t allow them to do so.
He, however, confirmed to our reporter that once they get a tractor, the road will be worked on, being the first to consider.
