The demonstrators blocked the road by planting banana stems and placing heavy stones, causing significant traffic disruptions. They demanded that the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) and the Ministry of Works expedite the ongoing renovations.
Police in Banda-Kyambogo dispersed a group of market vendors, street vendors, and furniture sellers Tuesday who had closed the Kampala-Jinja Highway in protest against its poor condition.
The demonstrators blocked the road by planting banana stems and placing heavy stones, causing significant traffic disruptions. They demanded that the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) and the Ministry of Works expedite the ongoing renovations.
Anti-riot police from the Jinja Road Police Division intervened, using tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protesters and clear the highway.
//Cue: “Tukoyye enfufu …
Cue out: … twagala kolansi”//
Joseph Damulira, one of the demonstrators, expressed frustration over the continuous renovation delays, which have led to severe dust pollution during dry spells and flooding during rainy seasons.
//Cue: "Embela yenfufu …
Cue out: … businesses zaffe”//
Allan Ssempebwa, the UNRA Spokesperson, apologized for the slow pace of the renovations, attributing it to funding delays. He assured the public that funding had now been secured, allowing the contractor, ENERGO, to resume work. Ssempebwa expressed hope that the renovations, which include resurfacing, road expansion, and improved drainage systems, would be completed by the end of the year.
"We had challenges of delay in funds, but now we have received it, and now ENERGO Contractor has resumed, we hope by the end of this year the renovations will have been completed. We want to apologize for the dust, floods, and traffic grid to the communities and motorists along this road," Ssempebwa said.
Kamali. M James
Freelancer