In January 2024, the Ministry of Works and Transport officially commissioned the rehabilitation of the 8.2km Mparo-Noozi-Butambi road in Rukiga District, with a budget of 1.06 billion UGX.
This crucial road, connecting Rukiga to Rubanda and passing through the sub-counties of Mparo Town Council, Rwamucucu Sub County, and Nyamweru Sub County, was intended to enhance accessibility and facilitate transportation for local communities.
However, since its commissioning, the project has seen little progress, causing frustration and unrest among district leaders and residents.
The rehabilitation contract, awarded to Mita Engineering and Logistics Company Limited, includes upgrading the community road to a district road, with plans to widen it to 7 meters. Despite the expected completion within six months, the work has stalled, leaving the road in a deplorable state. Local leaders, led by area Member of Parliament Hon. Roland Ndyomugyenyi Bish, have voiced their dissatisfaction, accusing the contractor of incompetence.
Hon. Ndyomugyenyi expressed the high demand for the road’s completion due to its importance for easing access and transportation of goods to the market. He warned that if the contractor does not resume work soon, district leaders will petition the Ministry of Works and Transport to terminate the contract and seek a new contractor.
“I have contacted the contractor multiple times, but there has been no positive response,” said Hon. Ndyomugyenyi. “Initially, they blamed the delays on the heavy rains in February and March, but even when the weather improved, they remained absent from the site.”
Rukiga District LC5 chairperson, Robert Mbabazi Kakwerere, echoed these concerns, revealing that despite securing funds from the ministry, the contractor disappeared shortly after beginning the work. “We have written several letters to the contractor urging the resumption of the project, but to no avail,” he said.
Local residents, who had hoped for improved access and better transportation of their produce to markets, are now facing significant challenges due to the poor road conditions. Noozi, known as the food basket for Rukiga District, relies heavily on this road for connectivity and economic activities.
Hon. Ndyomugyenyi emphasized that the decision to prioritize the Mparo-Noozi-Butambi road was based on its strategic importance. “This road is vital for connecting Rukiga to other districts, particularly Rubanda,” he noted. “Its current condition is unacceptable and hinders the region’s economic growth.”
During an oversight visit in January, Hon. Ndyomugyenyi highlighted his efforts to include the road in the District Urban and Community Access Roads Project, an initiative aimed at improving Uganda’s road network under the Ministry of Works and Transport.
Efforts to have a comment from Mita Engineering and Logistics Company Limited, were in futile.
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