165 kilometers of roads in Nakasongola are currently impassable due to the rainy season.
According to the LCV Chairperson Nakasongola Samuel Kigula, the most affected roads are Kafu-Kirolo-Mulonzi, Katuba-Nabiswera-Moone, Katuba-Kikoge-Kansira, Mbalabaitwa –Njeru, and Kansira-Lwabyata among others.
Kigula explains that sections of roads were cut off after culverts curved in whereas others developed deep potholes filled with water.
Kigula says that although the district needs over 1.4 billion shillings to work on all planned road works in the financial year, only 130 million shillings have been received in the first quarter.
According to Kigula, they have resolved to carry out spot improvement on the worst sections of the roads because the funds available are little for major works.
The LCIII Chairperson of Nabiswera sub-county Fredson Kakooza says that the impassable roads have paralyzed the movement of goods and services from his area.
Kakooza says that at least 50 trucks have been plying along Katuba-Nabiswera-Moone road per day carrying goods to Kampala, but currently they stopped leaving the farmers stuck with their produce.
Kakooza says that the road is key for the transportation of cattle, milk, fish, charcoal, and watermelon but all of these are now stuck in the communities.
“Currently some traders have resorted to using Boda Boda to transport some goods to markets but this is expensive and few items are getting out of the communities,’’ Kakooza said.
Elvis Kempaka a resident of Nabiswera trading center says that the impassable roads have plunged them into poverty since they can’t engage in trade.
“I deal in cattle trade but I can’t transport them from the villages to Kampala. Right now we are waiting for the district to work on it so as to resume trade.’’ Kempaka said.
Nakasongola district road network is estimated to be 2,700 kilometers which comprise trunk, community, and feeder roads.
In the financial year 2022/23, the district planned to carry out routine maintenance on 371.1 kilometers.
The district expects to receive 1.4 billion shillings for road works in the financial year.
In the release of funds for the first quarter, several government entities received less money than they were supposed to. The Ministry of Finance released 10.25 trillion Shillings for the first quarter against the expected 14.57 trillion. This is out of the total 48.1 trillion budget for the current financial year 2022/2023.
Henry Musasizi, the Minister of State for Finance in charge of General Duties told Parliament the Ministry released funds in accordance with the cash flow.URN
