There was excitement on Friday in Kito and Kakamulo Subcounties in Nakaseke District as residents witnessed the start of rehabilitation of their nearly impassable roads.
It started with Bujjubya-Kito-Katalekamese road where the Ministry of Works and Transport undertook the rehabilitation to class one murram.
The rehabilitation follows intervention of the State Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Kabuye Kyofatogabye, a born of the area, that led to lobbying the Ministry for consideration.
Speaking to this news website, Kyofatogabye heaped praise on the people of Nakaseke for being patient and seeking services from government in an organized manner.
“I thank the people of Kit+to and Kikamulo for the patience exhibited and always asking for services from Government in an orderly manner. Once there is order, our President and other concerned leaders respond,” he said, adding that the same spirit should continue being exhibited.
“I thank the Minister of Works for the timely response and I promise our people not to relent in engaging us always for such interventions,” he adds.
The Minister says next on the menu is the Luwero-Kiwoko-Butalangu Road as well as the Butalangu-Wakyato-Ngoma road.
While lobbying, Kyofatogabye reminded Gen Katumba Wamala, the Minister of Works and Transport, that the roads that connect Nakaseke, Luweero and Mityana Districts which include Luweero-Kiwoko-Butalangu road and Butalangu-Kapeeka via industrial park to Kituuma road were among those prioritized in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) manifesto.
He said the roads play a key role in connecting the three districts in easing transport while ensuring that goods and services easily reach the people especially with agricultural produce for the local market and manufactured goods from Kapeeka industrial park.
“I am aware that compensation of persons in the affected area was made and the communities are eagerly waiting for construction to commence, however no work has been started on these roads. It is also important to keep in mind that the land given up for road construction might be overtaken by individuals that may take advantage and use it as a tool to extort money from unsuspecting individuals,” Minister Kyofatogabye wrote.
“The purpose of this letter therefore is to inquire on the status of works and progress made on these roads. This will give us an opportunity to update the community and also control politicking in the areas,” he added.
In response, Gen Katumba reiterated government commitment to bettering Uganda through establishing a good road network. He would then reveal that construction will start next month.
“I acknowledge Government commitment to support agro-industrialisation through improving the road transport network. The Ministry of Works and Transport through UNRA is scheduling the launch of the construction of Luweero-Butalangu road in February 2023,” Gen Katumba noted, before adding that other roads will progressively be handled.
Last year in May, Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robinnah Nabbanja together with the Executive Director of Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), Allen Kagina inspected the state of road infrastructure in Nakaseke district.
During the inspection, Kagina explained that Government allocated funds to finance the feasibility study, detailed design and project management for upgrading of Kitala-Gerenge (9km), Namboole-Namanve-Namilyango-Mukono (14km), Luweero-Butalangu (29km), Butalangu-Ngoma (54km) and Zana-Kajjansi (5km) to bituminous standard.
She tagged delays on the Luweero-Butalangu stretch on a technical decision that was taken by financiers.