VANESSA A
Residents and leaders of Ntungamo and Rukungiri districts have called on the government to urgently intervene and rehabilitate the Rwashamire–Omukyirimirire–Kyafora–Omukyiyenje road, which they say is in a poor state and affecting transport and trade.
The road, which was reportedly worked on by the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) before its maintenance was handed over to the Ministry of Works and Transport, was also promised by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for tarmacking. However, residents say there has been no visible progress.
Alex Niwagaba, a resident of Kyafora Parish, described the road as being in a deplorable condition, especially the stretch from Omukyiyenje to Omukyirimirire. He said the poor state of the road makes it difficult for people to transport goods to markets, adding that residents in the area, known for cattle rearing, are struggling to transport milk.
Niwagaba further noted that locals have been contributing money to hire workers to carry out temporary repairs, but the road continues to deteriorate, calling for immediate government intervention.
The Chairperson LC3 Nyarushanje Sub-county in Rukungiri District, Michael Musiime, said the road is often damaged during the rainy season. He added that, in line with the President’s promise to have it tarmacked, leaders will collaborate to write to the Ministry of Works and Transport to request urgent action.
Similarly, the LC3 Chairperson of Rugarama North Sub-county in Ntungamo District, Amanya Ivan Rwanyakyibare, said the road serves as an important route for transporting milk from Kyafora to Rwashamire and bananas to nearby markets. However, he noted that the road is now in a sorry state, making it difficult for users to access it.
Rwanyakyibare added that despite reaching out to higher authorities, including the area Member of Parliament, no response has been received. He emphasized the need for urgent government intervention, warning that the poor condition of the road is contributing to underdevelopment and increased transport costs.
He also called on leaders from both districts to unite and jointly petition the Ministry of Works and Transport to ensure the road is repaired and upgraded.
