KYOTERA — Residents of Kakuuto Constituency in Kyotera District have raised concern over the poor state of roads, saying the deteriorating infrastructure is affecting trade, increasing transport costs and reducing agricultural productivity.
They say several community access roads become impassable during the rainy season, making it difficult for farmers to transport produce to markets and trading centres.
As a result, many are forced to sell at low prices to middlemen or risk losing their harvests.
Peter Mubiru, a farmer from Kabira Sub-county, said the poor roads have become a major barrier to improving household incomes.
“When it rains, vehicles cannot access our villages. We spend a lot of money transporting coffee and bananas on motorcycles, which reduces the profits we make from farming,” he said.
Farmers also noted that the poor road network has driven up transport costs, which are often passed on to consumers through higher commodity prices.
Produce trader Joweria Nakanwagi said transporters charge more whenever roads become muddy and difficult to navigate.
“The cost of transporting goods has gone up because drivers fear damaging their vehicles. Eventually, consumers pay more for commodities,” she said.
Residents say the situation has affected not only agriculture but also access to essential services such as clean water, healthcare and education.
They are now calling on leaders to prioritise road rehabilitation projects, arguing that improved infrastructure would boost trade and improve livelihoods.
Area Member of Parliament Ismail Lubega Kaka has previously urged leaders to focus on improving citizens’ welfare and ensuring equitable service delivery across communities.
Residents say such commitments should be translated into tangible improvements, particularly in road infrastructure.
“We want leaders to focus on practical solutions. Good roads would help us transport our produce, access markets and improve our livelihoods,” residents said.
District leaders acknowledge the challenge, attributing the poor road conditions to limited funding and harsh weather patterns. They say efforts are underway to lobby for additional resources to rehabilitate key roads in the constituency.
They also note that improving road infrastructure is essential for supporting government’s wealth creation programmes and enabling farmers to fully participate in commercial agriculture.
As agricultural commercialization efforts continue nationwide, residents maintain that road upgrades remain critical for unlocking rural productivity and improving household incomes in Kakuuto.