Govt disburses second installment of road maintenance fund

Districts, cities, and municipalities across the country have recently received the final installment of the Shs1 billion allocated for road rehabilitation and maintenance.

The release of the remaining Shs500 million, which came at the beginning of the fourth quarter, has been met with mixed reactions.

According to the Secretary-General of the Uganda Local Government Association (ULGA), nearly all local governments have reported receiving the much-awaited funds.

Each district was initially allocated 1 billion shillings for road maintenance in the 2023/2024 financial year.

However, only half of this amount was released in the first quarter, raising concerns about the timely execution of road projects.

The disbursement of funds, coming nearly two months before the end of the financial year, has prompted fears regarding whether the money can be effectively utilised within the remaining period.

Richard Okuku, ULGA secretary-general, expressed concerns.

"We have two and a half months as local governments to work on the roads," he said.

To ensure efficient utilization of the allocated funds, Okuku has urged district engineers and relevant committees to prioritize roads that were approved by the roads committee.

This prioritisation is aimed at averting delays in road maintenance projects and maximising the impact of the allocated funds.

The allocation of funds for road maintenance remains a critical issue in Uganda, where the condition of roads significantly impacts transportation, trade, and overall economic development.

The timely release and effective utilization of these funds are essential for improving infrastructure and enhancing connectivity across the country.