Kiryandongo launches Shs126.9mln maintenance of Kigumba–Kiigya–Kinyara Road

Kiryandongo: Kiryandongo District has launched mechanized maintenance works on 10 kilometres of the 15-kilometre Kigumba–Kiigya–Kinyara road, in a move expected to improve transportation, trade and access to social services for communities along the road corridor.

The works, valued at Shs126.9 million, will involve bush clearing, road shaping and spot gravelling, according to Emmanuel Niyonzima, the Kiryandongo District Engineer.

Niyonzima said a technical assessment conducted before the works found that only about five kilometres of the road was still in good condition, prompting the district to undertake maintenance to restore the road and improve its usability.

The road connects communities in Kigumba and Masindi Port Sub-counties to Kigumba Town Council, where residents access markets, businesses and other essential services.

Farouk Tumusiime, the LCIII Chairman of Kigumba Town Council, commended the district leadership for prioritising the road, saying its maintenance would ease the movement of farmers, traders and other road users engaged in commercial activities.

Gerald Wandera, the LCI Chairman of Kihuura Cell, also welcomed government interventions aimed at improving livelihoods but called for electricity connectivity to the area.

Wandera urged Members of Parliament to lobby for the extension of the national power grid to Kihuura Cell, saying electricity would further boost economic activities and development.

Enid Kajumba, the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of Kiryandongo, commended residents along the road for participating in government programmes and engaging district leaders over challenges affecting their communities.

Kajumba said community participation enables the district to identify challenges and respond to the needs of residents.

“If we call you and you don’t come, we cannot know what is hurting you,” Kajumba said.

She pledged continued engagement with communities to improve service delivery, noting that government is investing in socio-economic infrastructure to improve livelihoods.

Linos Ngompek, the District Roads Committee Chairperson and Member of Parliament for Kibanda North, urged the District Engineer to ensure the maintenance works are completed on time.

Ngompek said timely completion would improve access to service centres and facilitate the movement of people and goods. He also assured residents that government remains committed to delivering services in line with the NRM manifesto.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Akweteireho, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner, said good roads are essential to development because they connect communities to production areas and markets.

However, Akweteireho urged residents to remain vigilant against cattle thieves, warning that criminals could take advantage of improved road access.

The maintenance of the Kigumba–Kiigya–Kinyara road is expected to reduce transport challenges, improve the movement of agricultural produce, strengthen access to markets and essential services, and contribute to improved livelihoods and economic growth in Kiryandongo District.

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