United Forces of Change set up protests over poor roads

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The United Forces of Change will on Thursday protest against the poor state of roads in the city. This they say is part of the series of activities they have launched to display the discontent in the country.

This was revealed on Tuesday during a press conference at FDC Katonga Faction offices.

It was organized by the Forum for Democratic Change- FDC, People’s Progressive Party-PPP, National Unity Platform-NUP, Democratic Party-DP, Alliance for National Transformation-ANT, and Uganda People’s Congress-UPC.

In a statement read out by ANT National Mobilizer Winne Kiiza, the United Forces of Change Leaders said that the crisis in the country has continued to worsen, including abduction, illegal arrests, and extra-judicial killings that have never been investigated.

Kiiza explained that they want to portray the deplorable state of roads because the dignitaries participating in the Non-Aligned Movement and G77+China summits will not be allowed to access the roads. She urged supporters to plant bananas and trees in every pothole on the road.

Kiiza further said that they will also hold joint National prayer tours across the country starting in Iganga on Monday before proceeding to Lira on Tuesday.

Sadam Gaira, Vice Chairman of the Peoples Progressive Party, urged the United Forces of Change not to fight for elective positions, because it will divert their cause.

NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi reiterated his earlier appeal to Ugandans to use the current Non-Aligned Movement and G77+China summits as a platform to voice and reveal their dissatisfaction with the government.

According to Kyagulanyi while such summits would be beneficial for the nation, they have instead interrupted lives and affected several businesses. He added that summits are benefiting a small group of political elites.

Former FDC President, Dr. Kizza Besigye, asked all Ugandans to join the protest.

Since last year, there has been a public outcry against the sorry state of roads in Kampala.

The outcry led to a week-long online exhibition of potholes in Kampala, led by Dr Spire Ssentongo.

During the exhibition, Ugandans posted on social media pictures of different potholes in their respective localities. The exhibition was intended to expose the dire situation of city roads and prompt the city authorities and government at large to take action.

In reaction, President Museveni ordered the Ministry of Finance to immediately release 6 billion Shillings for the rehabilitation of roads in the city. However, Kampala Capital City Authority mayor Erias Lukwago said that the money was inadequate.