Ntungamo Residents Demand Sustainable Road Repairs Amidst Widespread Deterioration

Frustration is mounting in Ntungamo District as residents and local leaders voice their deep dissatisfaction with the crumbling condition of roads under central government jurisdiction. They report that frequent, short-lived repairs and prolonged delays in maintenance are severely impacting daily life, hindering transport, trade, agriculture, and access to essential services.

Many major roads, both tarmac and murram, have fallen into significant disrepair. Residents complain that even after maintenance, potholes and damage quickly reappear, raising serious questions about the quality and durability of the work. Some attribute the decline in road upkeep to the integration of the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) into the Ministry of Works and Transport, suggesting a slower response and maintenance schedule.

The Ntungamo–Rukungiri highway is frequently cited as an example, with motorists enduring numerous potholes. While current repairs are underway, locals fear they won’t last. The situation is exacerbated during the rainy season, when poor drainage causes water to pool on roads, concealing dangerous potholes and increasing accident risks.

Murram roads are also suffering. The Rubaare–Kakukuru–Rwenanura road, for instance, has developed extensive eroded sections and damaged drainage, making travel perilous, especially after heavy rains. Other affected routes include the Rwentobo–Rwahi–Rwashamaire and Kahunga–Nyakyera roads, which are covered in loose soil and dust due to minimal upkeep.

Some community leaders are now proposing the decentralization of road maintenance funds, arguing that district authorities could manage repairs more efficiently. They point to the district’s ability to maintain roads under its purview, despite budget limitations, as evidence of this potential.

Kajara County MP James Hunter has acknowledged the road network’s poor state and promised increased parliamentary oversight to ensure that allocated funds for road maintenance in the current financial year are used effectively and as budgeted. However, residents remain concerned, emphasizing the need for comprehensive reconstruction and improved drainage to ensure lasting solutions rather than repeated, temporary fixes.

Source: Nile Post