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Residents Lose Hope in Rehabilitation of Mparo-Noozi-Butambi Road

The rehabilitation was launched on January 2, 2024, and the contractor was given six months to complete the works covering the expansion, grading, installation of culverts and improving the drainage system for 1.06 billion Shillings.
11 Oct 2024 12:14
Part of Mparo-Noozi-Butambi road tht the contractor abandoned (Photo Credit Samuel Amanya)

Audio 6

Hopes of locals and leaders in Rukiga District to see the rehabilitation of the Mparo-Noozi-Butambi road in Rukiga district are fading. 

The road connects Rwamucucu Sub County, Mparo Town Council in Rukiga district and Nyamweru Sub County, in Rubanda district.  It is also an alternative route connecting the Muhangi-Kisiizi-Kebisoni road via Rushebeya to the Kabale-Kisoro road via Hamurwa. 

The Ministry of Works and Transport contracted MITA Engineering and Logistics Limited to construct the 8.2-kilometre road under the District Urban and Community Access Roads program.    Mita Engineering and Logistics Company Limited is owned by Jotham Taremwa, the former Electoral Commission Spokesperson. 

The rehabilitation was launched on January 2, 2024, and the contractor was given six months to complete the works covering the expansion, grading, installation of culverts and improving the drainage system for 1.06 billion Shillings. He was expected to hand over a completed road in June.   

However, the contractor cleared part of the road in the first month and disappeared. Repeated protests and appeals by locals to have work resumes have failed to yield results. 

Charity Mugarura, a resident of Noozi parish says that during the launch in January, they were promised that by June 2024, the works would be complete.

According to Mugarura, residents were surprised to see the contractor withdrawing equipment within two weeks.  Mugarura says what annoys him most is that before abandoning work.

//Cue in: “ekyiratuteganiisa ha nkuuto…. 

Cue out:…nabutiiya rutakozirwe.”//   

Moses Tukwataniise, a boda boda rider says that during the rainy season, the road is impassable. Tukwataniise wonders why the contractor started work and failed to complete it.   

//Cue in: “aha hantu enjura… 

Cue out: …tiheine ekibatugashiire.”//   

Africano Baryebuza, another concerned resident, suggests that since the contractor abandoned the road, the district should intervene and improvise with its equipment to make the road motorable again.    

//Cue in: “bakarubanjagura tibarukora beihamu… 

Cue out: …tiheine orahamanya”//    

Godfrey Mubangyizi, the defence secretary for Central Ward in Mparo town council says that locals from Noozi who want to access health services at Mparo Health Centre IV are constrained due to the current state of the road. 

//Cue in: “orukuuto ruturemire kuruga… 

Cue out: …hati tukore ki.?”//   

When contacted, Taremwa said that he would not resume work until he was paid by the government for the first instalment.  Taremwa argues that he started work using gis personal money of 400 million shillings.  

//Cue in: “The ministry of …. 

Cue out: …the road.”// 

Engineer Musa Mwine, the Civil Engineer in the Ministry of Works and Transport calls for patience saying that the matter is being discussed.     

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