By Mulengera Reporters
Bunyangabu district officials want the government to postpone some of its budgetary commitments and increase the road fund. The officials are concerned that they are facing very hostile receptions from their electorates due to the breakdown of major roads as a result of poor maintenance resulting from devastating torrential rains.
Bunyangabu is only served by a single highway connecting the district to Kabarole and Kasese. Established by an Act of Parliament in 2008, the Uganda Road Fund-URF is mandated to raise monies through various means, independent of general government taxation regimes, and disburses the funds to repair and maintenance agencies, based on agreed work programs.
In early September, the Government, through Andrew Naimanye, the Executive Director of the Uganda Road Fund announced the release of 68.5 billion Shillings to all districts countrywide for the maintenance of various public roads. However, Bunyangabu officials say the money is very little to cause any impact. They add that their road equipment broke down and requires spare parts.
John Manume, the Bunyangabu District LC V Vice-chairperson, says that the government should prioritize roads, arguing that it’s a top factor in realizing any development. He also decried the late remittance of funds to the district accounts, which has contributed to the poor road condition in the district.
Manume added that currently, the district received only Shillings 79 million to manage and maintain more than 600 km of district roads. He says that the allocation is very small considering the poor state of roads in the district and the number of kilometers that need to be improved and upgraded.
Davis Kamukama, one of the area members of parliament, says that due to loamy soils, the district requires constant rehabilitation of its roads. He demands that government makes budget cuts in some of its allocations and increase funding towards the development and maintenance of roads.
Peace Mutuzo, the Bunyangabu District Woman Member of Parliament, says that they are lobbying for more funds under the road fund and following up on president Museveni’s pledge to contribute 400 million towards improving road infrastructure.
Bunyangabu Chief Administrative Officer, Asuman Amis Masereka decried the limited funds to work on the district roads. He says the district has received a total of 176 million shillings to cater for the 15 lower local governments for two quarters.
Robert Mugisa a resident of Kakinga says that their roads have not been worked on for more than three years rendering them impassable and affecting their day-to-day activities-URN (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [whatsapp line], 0779411734 & 0200900416 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).