Ntungamo Municipal Council has completed 70 percent of its planned roadworks and maintenance for the current financial year, even as persistent rainfall, limited funding, and inadequate equipment continue to slow progress.
According to the Municipal Engineer, the council has pressed on with infrastructure improvements despite multiple constraints, maintaining a focus on ensuring roads meet acceptable standards.
“We are moving fast despite the challenges of rain, budget cuts, and limited equipment. We are ensuring that our roads are up to standard,” the engineer said.
In the third quarter alone, the municipality worked on 11 roads, including Binyerere Road, which was allocated Shs25 million, as well as Kobugabe Road and Nyesirigye Road.
Authorities say all roads are being upgraded to an 8-metre width to improve accessibility and ease movement for residents.
“As a municipality, we ensure that road widths are standardised at 8 metres to improve access and reduce disruptions. So far, 70 percent of the roads have been worked on. However, because we are maintaining a wide network, each road receives a relatively small budget,” the engineer added.
However, officials say progress has not come without setbacks. Heavy rains have significantly disrupted works, particularly because most of the roads are gravel.
Ntungamo’s geographical setting—largely a basin surrounded by hills—has compounded the challenge, with water collecting within the municipality due to inadequate drainage systems.
As a result, water does not easily drain out, affecting the durability and longevity of the roads.
Financial constraints remain another major hurdle. The municipality relies on approximately Shs1 billion from the maintenance grant under the Ministry of Works and Transport, alongside Shs141 million from the Uganda Road Fund to pay workers.
Officials argue that these funds are insufficient given the scale of the road network requiring maintenance.
Ntungamo Municipality Mayor Jacob Jakajex Kafureka acknowledged that while significant progress has been made, completing the remaining work will require additional effort, particularly in light of weather-related disruptions.
“We are going to work on the remaining percentage. The maintenance works were disturbed by the rains, and in some cases, what had already been completed was swept away,” Kafureka said.
The mayor also highlighted the challenge of limited equipment, noting that much of the municipality’s machinery is outdated, forcing reliance on costly hiring arrangements.
“We do not have adequate machines. Our tractor is very old, and hiring equipment is expensive,” he added.
Due to these limitations, the municipality has resorted to borrowing equipment from neighbouring districts to sustain ongoing roadworks.
Despite the challenges, local leaders insist that improving road infrastructure remains a priority, underscoring its importance to mobility, trade, and service delivery within the municipality.