The local residents in Nebbi municipality have demanded accountability from their leaders for around UGX 1 billion allocated for road maintenance in the last financial year, citing a lack of tangible improvements on local roads.
The Nebbi Municipal Engineer, Stephen Okura, acknowledged the community’s frustrations and explained that the municipality manages 223 kilometers of roads within only 120 kilometers currently being maintained.
“The full set of roads within Nebbi municipality and the connecting routes to surrounding sub-counties has severely impacted transport and trade,” Okura said.
He highlighted the challenge of funding equipment, including reliance on outdated and costly machinery hired from the district to maintain the roads.
Okura made these remarks on November 8, 2024, during the local radio station interview.
According to Okura, residents claim that the government funds that were intended to maintain roads in all municipalities and districts have yet to yield noticeable results, leaving them doubtful about the proper utilization of these resources.
The district reportedly has only UGX 197 million available for road works, making it difficult to allocate sufficient funds across all sub-counties and town councils.
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Okura further explained that the deteriorating state of roads in Nebbi not only affects local trade but also delays government projects, such as the construction of seed schools and difficulties in transporting materials due to poor road conditions, which could lead to extended project timelines.
The Town Clerk, Muzamil Akuma, confirmed that the municipality received around UGX 500 million for road maintenance in the first and second quarters of the 2023/2024 financial year. He attributed delays in roadworks to adverse weather conditions.
The situation highlights a pressing need for improved infrastructure management and accountability from local leaders to ensure that allocated funds lead to meaningful improvements in the community.
