The Ministry of Works and Transport has been tasked to provide a detailed report to Parliament regarding the state of roads in the country, following destructive flash floods that have made major highways impassable.
The concerns were raised by members of Parliament from the Greater Masaka region, whose constituencies have been disconnected due to the collapse of a bridge at Katonga River. This bridge is a vital transport route along the Kampala-Masaka highway, connecting Uganda to Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Katonga River, covering an estimated area of over 13,800 square kilometers, flows into Lake George and Lake Victoria, passing through 16 districts including Mpigi, Masaka, Kyotera, Sembabule, Mubende, Mityana, Kalungu, and Gomba, among others.
Gorreth Namugga, the representative of Mawogola County South, expressed concern that traffic between Kampala and Masaka, a distance of 120km, has been redirected through the Mpigi-Gomba-Ssembabule-Mbirizi-Bukomansimbi districts, causing economic burdens for motorists.
Kalungu West County MP, Joseph Ssewungu criticized the government for neglecting the 45km road from Bukalasa to Kabulasoke, which would provide a shorter route for motorists traveling to Masaka and Mbarara after the floods.
Francis Katabaazi Katongole, the Member of Parliament for Kalungu East County, pointed out that his constituency has been isolated by the floods, and the alternative feeder road, a 48km shortcut from Villa Maria to Kabulasooke, is also in poor condition.
In response, David Bahati, the Minister of State for Trade, Industries, and Cooperatives, informed the House that the government, through the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), has already allocated financial resources to support the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) in addressing flood-related challenges.
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has issued a statement warning residents in the Katonga catchment area to prepare for more flash floods, even after the current rainfall subsides.
Speaker Anita Among acknowledged that heavy rains have affected numerous roads across the country and directed the Ministry of Works and Transport, led by Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, to present a comprehensive report to the House on Wednesday regarding the condition of the roads and the remedial measures being taken.
