MICHAEL N
Authorities in Ntungamo District have raised concern over inadequate government funding for road maintenance, saying the situation continues to affect timely renovation and rehabilitation of roads across the district.
Speaking to our reporter, the Ntungamo District Chief Administrative Officer, Kiiza Fedelis, said the district faced several challenges during the 2025/2026 financial year, particularly limited Road Maintenance Funds. He explained that the district, which has five constituencies and more than 34 sub-counties, relies on only one road maintenance tractor to cover over 600 kilometres of district roads and more than 2,500 kilometres of community access roads.
Kiiza noted that the district receives only UGX 1 billion for road maintenance, an amount he described as too little for a vast district like Ntungamo. He added that the only tractor frequently develops mechanical problems, forcing it to stay in the garage for over a month at times, leaving several road projects incomplete.
Kiiza further emphasized that the inadequate funding continues to strain the district’s operations, affecting service delivery and delaying rehabilitation works on several roads.
Ntungamo District LC5 Chairperson, Samuel Muchunguzi Rwakigoba Salongo, said some roads remain incomplete due to emergency damages caused by heavy rains. He explained that by the time the tractor returns to continue previous works, many roads are already overgrown with shrubs, making rehabilitation even more difficult.
Rwakigoba added that the district occasionally seeks assistance from neighbouring districts by hiring their tractors in order to improve the road network and ease transport challenges faced by residents.
While addressing thousands of residents of Rwahi–Rwentobo Town Council and local leaders during the swearing-in ceremony of LC3 councillors and the mayor last week, the Ntungamo District Vice Chairperson, Asuman Kigongo, who also serves as the incumbent LC5 councillor for Nyamunuka Town Council, assured residents that government has pledged to increase the Road Maintenance Fund from UGX 1 billion to UGX 2 billion in the 2026/2027 financial year.
Kigongo also revealed that the district expects to receive additional road maintenance equipment aimed at improving timely road rehabilitation and maintenance works across the district.
