Masindi leaders demand coding of sub-counties, more road equipment
“These sub-counties receive funds mostly for roads from the mother sub-counties, and this affects service delivery, especially road maintenance. The funds also delay and are inadequate.”
Masindi: Masindi District leaders have asked the government to code nine sub-counties and town councils created in 2018, saying the delay has denied the lower local governments direct funding and affected service delivery.
The affected lower local governments include Kijunjubwa, Kiruli, Nyantonzi, Labongo and Bikonzi sub-counties, as well as Kyatiri, Bulima, Kijunjubwa and Kabango town councils.
The leaders raised the concern on Thursday during an engagement with the Minister of State for Bunyoro Affairs, Mary Grace Mugasa, at the Masindi District Chambers. The meeting brought together the district and municipal technical teams and political leaders.
Patrick Bright Tibiganbwa, the Masindi District Council Speaker said the affected lower local governments largely depend on their mother sub-counties for funding, particularly for road maintenance.
“These sub-counties receive funds mostly for roads from the mother sub-counties, and this affects service delivery, especially road maintenance. The funds also delay and are inadequate.”
Tibiganbwa also appealed to the government to provide the district with another grader, saying the existing equipment is insufficient to maintain the district and sub-county road network.
“The district has one grader, which cannot effectively rehabilitate and maintain roads across the district. We need a second grader to supplement the existing one and reduce the backlog of road maintenance.”
Masindi Municipality Mayor Rogers Amanyire said the municipality is also facing challenges maintaining its roads due to inadequate equipment.
Amanyire said he had written to the Ministry of Works requesting a grader and compactor to support road maintenance and rehabilitation.
He added that the municipality had asked the ministry to take over the maintenance of Kamurasi-Ihungu, Mirya-Kyema, Kyema-Kiswata-Kihuuba and Kabalye-Kibwona-Bulyango-Zebra roads.
Bright Mugume, the Masindi District LCV Vice Chairperson said the district receives about Shs1 billion from the central government for roads, but the funds are insufficient given the size of the road network.
“The money is not enough to facilitate the rehabilitation of roads in the district. We have one grader, a wheel loader and a roller, and this affects service delivery.”
Mugume said the poor state of roads is also affecting farmers because traders offer low prices for produce due to the high cost and difficulty of transportation.
Minister Mary Grace Mugasa acknowledged the concern over the nine lower local governments that have not been coded and said she would engage the Minister of Local Government, Balaam Barugahara, on the matter.
“I will engage the Minister for Local Government so that the issue of the nine sub-counties and town councils that have not been coded can be addressed.”
Mugasa also pledged to engage the Minister of Works and Transport, Fred Byamukama, over Masindi Municipality’s request for additional road equipment.
“I will work with the Minister for Works so that Masindi Municipality can get a grader, wheel loader and roller to supplement the equipment available to the district.”
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