Tororo grapples with impassable roads despite govt funding

Out of the Shs500 million disbursed to Tororo for road works, only 60km of roads have been improved

Efforts by the government to improve the country's road network continue to fall short in many districts, with Tororo being a prime example of the ongoing challenges.

Out of a total road network of 660km in the district, over 500km remain in a state of disrepair, even after the partial release of 1 billion shillings for road maintenance.

Out of the Shs500 million disbursed to Tororo for road works, only 60km of roads have been improved, leaving the majority of the district's road network impassable.

The lack of adequate funding has made travel within the district increasingly difficult, affecting residents and local businesses.

Emmanuel Otaala, chairperson of the district roads committee, explained that the funding received so far has been insufficient to meet the needs of the expansive road network.

"We've only managed to work on about 67.5 kilometers, which is distributed throughout the district. It's a small fraction of what we need to make all the roads motorable," Otaala said.

The road conditions in Tororo have become a source of frustration for local leaders and residents.

District Councillor Fred Emojong described the situation as "a nightmare," pointing out that the neglected roads have made transportation and access to essential services challenging for many people.

Simon Peter Iluker, Sub-county chairperson for Kwapa, echoed these concerns, stating that even if the balance of the funding was released today, it would only cover an additional 50km of road network.

"This is a critical issue. The state of our roads is affecting our communities and our ability to move goods and people," Iluker said.

In addition to the Shs500 million received for road maintenance, the district also obtained Shs64 million in quarters one and two through road funds.

However, the disbursement of these funds has not been enough to address the significant backlog of road repairs needed across the district.

As the Ugandan government prepares to read the budget for the next financial year, the road situation in Tororo serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in maintaining the country's infrastructure.

Local leaders are urging the government to prioritize funding for road maintenance to ensure that communities like Tororo are not left behind.

The lack of adequate road infrastructure continues to hamper economic development and affect the quality of life for residents in the district.