By Dickens Twinomujuni and Barnabas Kamusiime
Officials from Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) have met with residents of Matinza Trading Center in Nyakabande Sub County, Kisoro District and promised to repair part of the road that has been submerged in stagnant water for more than two months now.
The residents of Matinza and Gikoro villages had vowed to stage a peaceful demonstration on Monday because of what they described as ‘absent leadership’ at District and Parliamentary level that does not care that a major tourism road like Nyabwishenya- Rubuguri- Katojo road is impassable at various sections.
https://vomuhabura.com/angry-matinza-residents-plan-protest-over-impassable-road/
The Frustrated residents are now blaming Government for the increased number of malaria cases being registered in the area as a result of stagnant water that now resembles a man-made lake.
Members of various social media groups that bring the people of Kisoro together have since christened the stretch of muddy water, Lake Katumba Wamala.
Richard Kananura from UNRA Regional Office in Kabale said the rehabilitation works along the affected stretch should be completed by the 22nd of January 2024.
This gives UNRA less than six days to have their contingency plan of rehabilitating road put into action and completed.
Nyakabande LCV Councilor Maniraguha Godfrey Rukara commended UNRA for responding to the people’s plight adding that he is eager to see life go back to normal with people being able to transport their goods to the market and support their families.
Rukara pointed out that the people of Matinza are not naïve and will not fall for the lies of Government anymore.
According to Rukara, failure to complete the said works by the stipulated time, the residents will stage a peaceful demonstration.
Mechanized Maintenance Works by UNRA
An official document from UNRA to Kisoro District Local Government dated December 21st, 2023, indicates that a contractor, MS. Networld (U) Ltd was awarded the job to carry out road maintenance works for Nyabwishenya – Rubuguri- Katojo (27.5KM) for a contract sum of 1, 999, 980, 183 (One Billion, Nine Hundred Ninety-Nine Million, Nine Hundred Eighty Thousand, One Hundred Eighty Three Only)
The works include reinstating of side drains, Mitre drains, offshoots and culvert installation.
According to the document, expected contract period is six months from December 20th, 2023, till 19th June 2024.
The second contract was awarded to Ms. Techno Buha Limited to undertake road maintenance works on Kisoro- Nyabwishenya- Nteko (45Kms) and Natete – Busanza- Mpaka (18.2Kms) at a contract sum of 3, 500,006,975 (Three Billion, Five Hundred Million, Six Thousand Nine Hundred Seventy-Five Only)
The works include gravelling the entire 45kms and 18.2Kms, grading the entire length of roads, reinstatement of side drains, offshoots and water drain as well as culvert installation.
The expected contract period is six months from 27th of December 2023 till June 26th, 2024.
Kisoro District LCV chairperson Abel Bizimana said his office has been lobbying UNRA Office to commence the works and luckily works have already begun in Mpaka.
He further commended the people of Matinza for standing up for their rights and pointed out that his political ambitions in 2026 will guarantee improved service delivery to the people of Kisoro.
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