Journalist Solomon Sserwanja's village chairmanship kicks off with road repair drive

In Bamutakudde Village, a spirited community-led effort to fix a deteriorating road has gained traction, leading to a broader commitment from the Mukono District Local Government to enhance road infrastructure in the Kyampisi and Nama sub-counties.

Mr. Solomon Sserwanja, a well-known investigative journalist who recently secured the Bamutakudde Village Chairperson position, spearheaded the initiative. Residents, inspired by his leadership, pooled resources to begin repairing a vital road connecting their village to neighboring communities. The initial work involved clearing the road, with plans to add marram to improve its surface.

This proactive community engagement caught the attention of district officials. During an inspection, Mukono Chief Administrative Officer Henry Ddamba lauded the residents’ self-reliance, stating it exemplifies the kind of community initiative the government aims to support. “This is what we want to see — communities challenging themselves and the government responding,” Mr. Ddamba remarked.

The district has pledged technical expertise and support for the roadworks, ensuring they meet required engineering standards. This collaboration will involve engineers and residents to improve the road network and bolster service delivery in the area. District Engineer Herbert Lutwama confirmed that roads like Ttakajjunge–Kikubakima and Kyampisi–Kiwumu, also in poor condition, are slated for improvement in the next financial year, with a focus on drainage systems to enhance durability.

Mr. Sserwanja expressed his vision for transforming Bamutakudde into a model village through collaborative efforts between the community and the government. He noted that the community’s contribution of marram would significantly reduce the project’s cost. His election victory was notably close, securing 106 votes against his opponent’s 105.

Residents in affected areas anticipate that the road improvements will ease the movement of people and goods, thereby boosting local economic activities. District officials urged continued patience and cooperation from residents as the rehabilitation projects progress. They also emphasized the importance of protecting public infrastructure and engaging with government programs like the Parish Development Model to sustain development gains.

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/journalist-solomon-sserwanja-starts-village-chairmanship-with-campaign-to-fix-roads-5561944