One killed in protest over poor roads in Kagadi
The body was conveyed to Kagadi Hospital Mortuary, as a heavy security presence was maintained along Muhorro-Ndaiga Road.
Kagadi: One person has been knocked dead by a speeding vehicle registration number UG 6998Mbelonging to Kagadi District Local Government as residents demonstrated over the poor state of Muhorro-Ndaiga Road in Kagadi district.
They also blocked the road with barricades and big stones, paralyzing traffic flow.
The incident happened Monday morning at around 9:00 a.m. in Muhorro Town Council Kagadi District when the demonstrators, who were carrying placards, marched along the dilapidated 31-kilometer road leading to Lake Albert.
The deceased has been identified as Magezi Tuhaise, 28, a resident of Bugambaihe Cell Muhorro Town Council.
Eyewitnesses allege that the double cubin-pickup vehicle that belonged to the Health Department of Kagadi was carrying District Chairperson Yosia Ndibwami.
They say the driver was driving at a terrible speed, and he ended up knocking on one of the demonstrators who was moving on the roadside.
The demonstration prompted the deployment of the UPDF and police.
The demonstrators, who included Bodadoda riders, truck drivers, and locals, say that the road had taken four years without being rehabilitated, which compelled them to demonstrate.
Joseph Akugizibwe, chairperson of the Muhorro Town Council Bodabodas Riders Association, revealed that the peaceful demonstration was motivated by the poor state of the road.
Gard Benda, the Country Director for World Voices Uganda, said this publication road is very critical for the country because it connects Uganda to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
He added that residents were right to demonstrate since they had incurred huge losses and also lost the lives of their loved ones due to accidents.
However, Lillian Ruteraho, the RDC Kagadi, explains that the demonstration was illegal and has threatened to arrest the ring leaders.
‘’The demonstration was illegal; they never informed or wrote to my officer or the DPC’s office.’’
Ruteraho has confirmed that the double-cabin vehicle that knocked on Tuhaise belongs to the district health department, and it was being driven by the driver of the district chairperson. She stressed that the driver is currently on the run, but police are hunting for him.
Julius Allan Hakiza, the Albertine Reggional Police Spokesperson called upon the residents to always inform security in case of any demonstration they plan to have.
When contacted for a comment, UNRA Station Engineer Hoima Julius Ngabirano acknowledged the delays in the rehabilitation of the Muhorro-Ndaiga Road due to financial constraints. But he was non-committal about the idea of tarmacing the road.
He has, however, confirmed that between tomorrow and Wednesday, rehabilitation work by the UNRA team will kick off.
The body was conveyed to Kagadi Hospital Mortuary, as a heavy security presence was maintained along Muhorro-Ndaiga Road.
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