RDC Angalia demands investigation into year-long stalled Kabaale–Kiziranfumbi road project
All the roads are being constructed by M/S China Railway Seventh Group Company Limited.
Kikuube: The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Kikuube District, Godwin Angalia, has ordered police to investigate the prolonged delay in the construction of the Kabaale–Kiziranfumbi Road amid concerns over changes in the road design and alleged compensation issues.
Angalia issued the directive on Wednesday while conducting an abrupt monitoring exercise of several ongoing road projects in the district.
He was accompanied by the Officer-in-Charge of Station, SSP Agaba, during the inspection of the 43-kilometre Kabwoya–Buhuka Road, the 3.5-kilometre Airport Access Road and the 25-kilometre Kabaale–Kiziranfumbi Road.
All the roads are being constructed by M/S China Railway Seventh Group Company Limited.
The RDC expressed concern after establishing that works on the Kabaale–Kiziranfumbi Road had stalled for about a year without any official communication from either the contractor or engineers from the Ministry of Works and Transport.
When Angalia contacted the supervising engineer over the matter, he was informed that changes had been made to the road design, particularly around the Kiziranfumbi roundabout, requiring the acquisition of additional land.
However, during engagements with local residents and Project Affected Persons (PAPs), the RDC was reportedly informed that all affected people had already been compensated.
This prompted Angalia to direct police to investigate the circumstances surrounding the stalled works, the alleged change in design and concerns raised by members of the public about possible double compensation.
“Police should investigate this matter and establish why the works have delayed, the circumstances surrounding the change in design and the allegations of double compensation raised by the public,” Angalia said.
The RDC said there was a need for transparency and accountability, especially because the affected roads are important infrastructure projects in the Albertine Graben, where Uganda’s oil and gas activities are concentrated.
The contractor, M/S China Railway Seventh Group Company Limited, is also responsible for the construction of the 52-kilometre Biiso–Masindi Road, another critical oil road in the Albertine Graben.
The Biiso–Masindi Road project has taken about seven years to complete, raising further concerns about delays in the implementation of critical infrastructure projects in the region.
Angalia said the government and residents deserve clear explanations regarding the delayed road projects, particularly those expected to support the country’s growing oil and gas industry.
The police investigation is expected to establish whether the delay in the Kabaale–Kiziranfumbi Road project is solely linked to the design changes and land acquisition requirements or whether there are other factors affecting the implementation of the project.
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