Residents of Nakapiripirit district in Karamoja sub-region have on Monday 25 asked the government to start the reconstruction of Nakapiripirit, Mbale road before they block motorists from using it.
The road is currently cut off making it difficult for the residents to connect to Mbale district for other services.
Mr. John Ngiro, one of the concerned residents said the road has affected their daily running of their businesses.
“I have been seeing President Museveni giving out billions of shillings to so-called ghetto groups in Kampala why is it that our roads are completely off,” he asked.
Marry Nangiro another concerned resident said should three days pass when the road is not worked on then they will block any vehicle from crossing.
“We are going to plant bananas in the middle of the road to show the government our disappointment with the government,” he said.
Peter Lomokol, a businessman said every year when it rains, Karamoja roads remain poor and that less attention is always given to Karamoja.
“What’s annoys me is that when it reaches time for elections, Karamoja region is Tue first region to receive ballot papers before any other regions and it’s their votes that being announced but when it comes on the distribution of national cake, Karamoja gets nothing this wrong,” he said.
Mr. Francis Kiyonga, the district LCV chairperson of Amudat said they now move 300kilometters to Mbale via Moroto, Napak, Amuria, Katakwi, Soroti to Mable.
“It’s because the people of Karamoja have never held protest like other people across the country, “he said.
Karamoja region is currently receiving heavy rains and so far four major roads that connect Karamoja to other parts of the country are cut off.
Eng. Goerge Sonko, the Uganda National Roads Authority Engineer Mbale station confirmed the poor state of the road but said the situation will be solved in the next two days.
He said they have also been facing a big challenge in transporting the road equipment’s due to flooded areas.
“We are aware of the situation and we call upon the community to bearer with us but in the next two days we shall be working on that road,” he said.
