Speaker of Parliament Rt Hon Anita Among has directed that expeditious measures are taken to restore normal traffic flow along the Kampala-Masaka highway as well as the current gun violence which has claimed four people in less than two weeks.
The directive addressed to the Ministry of Works and Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) demands that the government funds a speedy redress to reconstruct the Katonga Bridge that was on May 11, cut off by heavy fast moving floods.
The bridge that is located between Kayambwe Town and Katonga Village is a stretch is about 200 metres and its damage has since disrupted traffic and occasioned high transport fares for motorists, something Speaker Among wants immediate redress for.
As she opened plenary, She said: “We must consider the issue of roads. As we speak the roads are completely cut off and it is a big concern for all of us, we should walk the talk.”
To this end, she demanded that the line government entities find the requisite funds to facilitate the reconstruction of the bridge and other roads that have since been broken by rampant rains that equally ravaged a number of roads across the country.
“As we do the budgeting this time, we must consider the issue of the roads. The roads must be worked on,” Speaker Among directed.
Speaker Among also expressed her displeasure over the persistent gun violence, with the most recent case involving Police constable Ivan Wabwire gunned down money lender Uttam Bhandari was pegged on mental illness of the former.
The speaker therefore wants such triggers of gun violence to be tamed before they escalate into loss of lives, a task that she directed that Parliament takes lead.
“The issue of health must be handled. Hon Nekesa, to want you to take lead on the issue of mental health. When you hear that may be the police man who shot had a mental problem. I want us to take it up,” She directed.
Bhandari came the fourth person to be killed by the gun in a space of less than two weeks.
