Simpson M
Residents of Nyamabaale cell in Rukondo Karangaro ward, Western Division of Rukungiri municipality have expressed their dissatisfaction with the current state of the Nyamabaale-Kafunda road, a crucial community access route which has been blocked by CHICO Construction Company Limited.
The condition in which CHICO left this road has sparked outrage among residents.
The community is dismayed and frustrated by the company’s neglect of the road, which previously served the residents well. This access road links multiple cells including Kafunda, Nyamabaale, Kyiriite, and numerous villages to the main road.
Yosiya Kasigiire, the LC1 chairperson, and Boaz Byabaganbi explained that the road was anticipated to bring numerous benefits but has instead left many residents in distress.
They pointed out that CHICO damaged all the water channels along the road, causing water to flow unchecked and rendering the road impassable. Consequently, water has begun to damage people’s homes in the area, posing safety risks.
Despite numerous requests for assistance from both municipal authorities and CHICO offices, the residents have been left without a resolution.
As a result, residents are compelled to seek alternative routes, particularly during rainy seasons when fuel prices are high.
However, most of these alternative routes are distant, costly, and in poor condition, resulting in financial losses for residents and hindrances in accessing essential services such as healthcare, education, and markets for agricultural produce.
This situation has severely restricted the movement of people and goods, prompting calls for intervention from the municipal administration.
Henry Kamugisha, the subcounty chief for Nyarushanje, expressed his concern, noting that as a farmer with farms in Rukondo Kafunda, he also struggles to access markets for his products due to the impassable road.
He added that previous efforts by residents to restore the road to its former condition have been unsuccessful, primarily due to the damaged water channels caused by CHICO.
He criticizes the municipality authorities for their failure to address the residents’ concerns.
