By VOM News Team
Residents of Kisoro district yesterday witnessed a landmark moment when they hosted the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) Executive Director Allen Kagina and two other engineers in a dialogue held on Zoom where a status on repairs of Kabale- Kisoro Road among other issues were discussed.
The discussion that attracted a full house on the Zoom call was organized by Ubuntu Bafumbira United Association.
Voice of Muhabura Radio, Kisoro’s leading radio ably relayed the lively interaction both on air and via live stream on www.vomuhabura.com.
Counsel Alex Rezida, the moderator of the discussion described the engagement as a big moment for the people of Kisoro who were given an opportunity to engage with UNRA which provided timely feedback on issues concerning the damaged road along Kabale- Kisoro at Hamurwa which has since come to a standstill.
The UNRA team also spoke about the progress being made on the tourism roads including Kisoro- Mgahinga and Kisoro – Bwindi Road.
Allen Kagina, who joined the meeting for a brief moment but had to bolt for ‘medical reasons’ but was able to mention that UNRA is committed to serving Ugandans however financial constraints as a result of budget cuts affects their effectiveness.
UNRA’s Director of Network Planning and Engineering Isaac Wani and UNRA Director Road Maintenance Eng. Joseph Otim took over and provided information and answered questions that arose from the participants.
BUDGET CUTS.
The UNRA Engineers explained that maintenance works across the country are largely affected by budget cuts and working using framework contracts that cannot be bypassed.
Eng. Joseph Otim said UNRA planned for a total of 90 billion shillings for maintenance works to cover the entire country however the agency will only be getting 25 billion.
In regard to Kisoro- Mgahinga tourism road, progress on works is on track however a specific timeline was not shared.
A total of 1,200 will be affected by the road works from Mgahinga.
At least 695 people have already received their compensation, according to UNRA Engineer Isaac Wani.
Kisoro District LCV Chairperson Abel Bizimana expressed his dissatisfaction towards Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) for failing to fix the damaged part of Kabale – Kisoro Road at Hamurwa and yet the road is a strategic road for trade and tourism.
He further reasoned the question as to why Mutolere- Chapa road was categorized as tarmacked in the NRM manifesto and yet this is untrue.
Eng. Otim said UNRA has planned of tarmacking the road and would follow up with the NRM Secretariat to establish why they considered it as a tarmacked.
EMPOWERMENT AND COOPERATION
Rezida said Kisoro residents have the opportunity to stand together and follow up on issues that after the development in the district.
He noted that Ubuntu as an association with more 1000 members will continue to pursue advocacy for the people of this region adding that an engagement with the Uganda Tourism Board Executive director Lilly Ajarova has been scheduled on the books.
Ubuntu Chairperson Hillary Bisanga, who is currently serving as a Senior Commissioner in Uganda Prisons Services commended UNRA for showing a heart of Cooperation and urged them to be truthful in delivering services to the people of Kisoro district.
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