“Funds got from the central government are not enough to maintain our roads”, Rubaijaniza Johnson

On 2^nd November 2013, the Engineer of Burahya County in Kabarole District appeared on HITS FM to explain to the local people how the funds got from the central government are not enough to maintain roads. “The money that we get from the central government is too little yet it runs every thing like maintaining the roads, running the engineers office, buying fuel for the graders, stationary, among others”. This was during ToroDev’s accountability sponsored program on HITS FM called the Orukurato Program.

The engineer also went ahead to give accountability about the roads sector. “We received 390 (three hundred and ninety) million shillings from the central government for the construction of roads only. We shall be working on some of the roads in different Sub Counties and a total of 260 kilo meters will be constructed and each kilo meter is worth 15 million shillings. Some of these roads include Isanga-Rwankezi road, Kisomoro-Kyamatanga road, Kicwamba-Kiburara road, Kabegira-Kirere road, Kaboyo-Kyezire-Kaziyo road, among others”.

A temporally Bridge on River Nsongya, Katebwa Sub County

Meanwhile, the live radio discussion was also attended by Hon Moses Ikagobya, the Vice Chairperson of Kabarole District. The Chairperson explained some of the challenges that they face in maintaining the roads. “In Kabarole District, we have a challenge of most sub counties being separated by rivers, this makes it expensive because of the many bridges that we have to construct. Some of these bridges that we are planning to construct include Mugoma-Mbuzi Bridge in Karambi Sub County which is worth 55 (fifty five)million, Kisakyabairu Bridge in Busoro Sub County which is worth 55 (fifty five)million, Nsongya bridge in Katebwa Sub County which is worth 55 (fifty five)million shillings, among others”. 

The Vice Chairperson also indicated the poor quality of grader owned by the district that does not perform quality work. “The grader that we have at the district is of poor quality. It can only dig a road that has been graded before and cannot dig a road with pot holes. The grader cannot also be used all the time and needs a lot of attention when being used”.

Local listeners who participated in the Live Radio Discussion through call ins were able to raise their issues and concerns. “Our roads are so poor and impassable during the rainy season”, said Joseline from Muhoti Sub County, “Kibiito-Kabonero road is so poor and muddy”, said Daniel from Kibiito Sub County, “Roads are constructed badly and in a short time they get spoilt”, said Adruf from Kicwamba Sub County.

The Live Radio discussion was moderated by Mr. Kasigazi Willy Donanto