By Barnabas Kamusime
The State Minister for Works and Transport Fred Byamukama has assured the communities in Kisoro district that road works on all UNRA roads is set to commence.
Hon. Byamukama says, UNRA has been given less than five working days to show their presence on ground and begin major road rehabilitation on Kisoro roads that are in a state of disrepair.
Byamukama made the remarks yesterday while on a tour to Kisoro district where he visited Nyakabande airfield, Cyanika and Bunagana borders.
Kisoro district boasts of six major UNRA roads including Nyakabande – Mutolere- Busamba (4.5Kms), Nateete- Busanza- Mupaka (18Kms), Rubuguri – Kozogo (26Kms), Kisoro- Nyabwishenya- Ntekko (48Kms) and Mgahinga- Ntebekko (7.5Kms)
Hon. Byamukama said it is imperative that the UNRA roads, with specific emphasis on the tourism roads be worked upon because of what is at stake in terms of revenue collection from tourists.
The UNRA coordinator for Kigezi region Polycarp Ejotu says UNRA is committed to serving the people of Kisoro.
He noted that road works on Mgahinga – Ntebekko is yet to start along with Kabale- Lake Bunyonyi road.
Ejotu however noted that the tourism road leading to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Rubuguri- Kozogo is still under design.
Hon. Byamukama, who also visited the Nyakabande airfield says plans to upgrade it into an international airport are underway.
While meeting the Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Fred Bamwesigye along with the Kisoro Woman Member of Parliament and State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs Hon. Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi, Hon. Byamukama said the compensation process needs to be handled with tactic and expediency.
He noted that Nyakabande airfield has the potential to attract business to Uganda from the two neighboring countries of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Bamwesigye noted that Kisoro airfield has such a unique selling point because it links the world to a rare flagship species of the Mountain Gorilla among other tourism attractions.
Hon. Sarah Mateke said the people of Kisoro should be allowed to showcase and even sell some items like crafts at the airfield to visitors in a bid to boast household incomes of people living around the airfield.
Communities fed up with Political Grandstanding
A source within the Kisoro district Works department says the State Minister of Works is simply speaking to the inner desires of the people of Kisoro but has no real authority to pull off anything substantial
According to the source who preferred anonymity, UNRA cannot do serious work during the rainy season therefore a four – five day ultimatum plays well in the ears of the public, but that’s all it is.
The chairman of the finance committee and district councilor for Chahi Sub County Wilson Kazmiri says, nothing is done without proper budgeting.
He notes that the political leaders are good at making statements however it is not backed by technical support then, it is hot air.
“Kisoro district has been promised road rehabilitation and tarmacking since 2011, we have heard it all before, it’s time for action, no more words”, Kazmiri said.
Kisoro district is home to the Mountain Gorilla and two major National Parks including Mount Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
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