Motorists protest poor state of roads in Teso

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The poor state of road network across Teso sub-region has angered motorists, who are now protesting against the Uganda National Roads Authority-UNRA.

The roads troubling motorists include Soroti-Amuria-Kapelebyong, Soroti-Serere-Kagwara, Old Mbale road, Ngora road, Kalaki-Kaberamaido road, Lwala-Kaberamaido road, Bukedea-Kolir road, Kumi-Ongino-Malera road and Mukongora-Ngora road. The others are Katakwi-Usuk-Ajeleik road, Usuk-Ongongoja-Apeitolim road, Gweri-Toroma-Magoro road, Kidongole-Amorotot-Butebo road, Kolir-Okum-Okamole-Chebukube-Sironko road among others.

Most of the roads have developed huge holes and others have been submerged by water especially from Lake Kyoga and Lake Bisina. In some areas, vehicles cannot pass through, forcing residents to walk or use motorcycles. On Wednesday, the community of Ongino sub county in Kumi district took to the streets after two accidents that claimed lives along Kumi-Ongino road.

David Ejema, the chairperson of boda boda Ongino cyclists in Kumi says they have registered over twenty accidents on the same road due to its poor state. He says that some of the boda boda riders who got involved in accidents on Ongino road are still lying in the hospital yet UNRA, the institution responsible is not taking any action.

Emmanuel Ebuno, a resident of Ongino village says that even when UNRA conducts road works, it does not last even two months before the road deteriorate. He wants the government to investigate the authority for the shoddy works in the district.

In Amuria, the motorists have given UNRA an ultimatum of seven days to start road works lest they carry their damaged vehicles to the UNRA regional office in Soroti.

Jackson Olaki, the chairperson of Amuria Drivers’ Association says they have written to UNRA over the poor state of roads in vain, and now most of their vehicles have been grounded and many of them are now incurring losses as they drive longer routes in trying to avoid the bad roads.

Nelson Elungat, the district chairperson of Kumi says that they have had a number of engagements with UNRA on the poor state of roads yet nothing comes out of it. He adds that the action by the residents and the motorists is not surprising.

Simon Olupot, the Soroti station engineer says that they have been limited by funding shortfalls. He adds that all the roads in question were earmarked for construction but there were budget cuts that affected their works in two quarters of the last financial year.

Recently, the State Minister for Works, Musa Ecweru tasked UNRA to work on Ajeleik bridge in Kapelebyong district, whose work has stalled for more than five years affecting movement between Kapelebyong and Katakwi district.

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