Dust, Corruption Allegations Have Nyamityoboora in a Chokehold

Allegations of corruption related to the purchase of marrum for the road works does not help the residents along the road who are enduring choking dust that can spread diseases

Residents along the Lubiri Lower to Rwentondo Road in Mbarara City's South Division are grappling with severe dust pollution caused by ongoing marrum extraction in the Kirembe area.

The extracted marrum, sold to Mbarara City Council for use in rehabilitating other roads, has left the community battling health issues and infrastructural challenges.

Residents living along the road, which passes through Central Cell, Kirembe, Lubiri, and Rwentondo, are struggling with flu, cough, and respiratory complications caused by the dust.

“It’s too dusty here. We are suffering from flu and cough. Sometimes, when you see a car, you run away and hide,” lamented Jordan Baguma, a resident.

Another resident added, “This dust has entered the house, and everything inside is dusty. The government should help us and pour water.”

The excessive dust has forced residents to take protective measures. “We are curious whether our leaders do not see this dust. We now move with masks for our safety,” a resident remarked.

Local leaders, too, have expressed concern about the health risks posed by the activity. Mohammed Byansi, a councillor for Mbarara City South A, noted, “People in this area, due to dust, are battling flu.”

He said urgent measures should be taken to mitigate the situation.

“Before this vehicle (water bowser) is bought, there should be a provision for sprinkling water on the road to save the people from the effects of the dusty road,” Mr Byansi added.

Byansi revealed that funds to purchase a water bowser were allocated in the last financial year but the delay in procuring the vehicle has prolonged the suffering of residents.

He called for accountability from those involved in marrum extraction, stating, “Those who dig marrum should be registered and held accountable to pour water on the road.”

Allegations of corruption have further complicated the situation. Byansi accused some individuals of double-selling the marrum to the council despite it originating from council-owned property.

“This marrum that is being dug and used in the rehabilitation of the roads, with each trip sold to the council at Shs1 million, means that even the marrum that is got from the same road that belongs to council is doubly sold to council with 12 metres wide encroached on. All that money is embezzled. That is corruption,” he charged.

He promised to raise the issue in city council seating to demand accountability and investigate who authorized the engineer and the extraction.

“This will be tabled in council meeting to find accountability and also find out who ordered the engineer to dig out this marrum from the road and put back the road to order,” he said.

Simpson Mugabi, the LCI chairman of Kirembe, expressed concern over the encroachment caused by the marrum extraction.

He explained that the activity has blocked Lubiri Lane, a key access road connecting to the main Lubiri-Rwentondo Road.

“I was also curious to know what was the main aim behind encroaching on this road and blocking it to start digging marrum,” he said.

Mr Mugabi said the land where the marrum is being extracted from was purchased by a bank manager and an associate whose identity this publication has edited out because they were not able to comment on the allegations..

“It is alleged that the land was purchased by a certain bank manager and his counterpart,” he stated.

The encroachment has disrupted transportation and negatively impacted the lives of residents.

“Such an access road was easing transportation of people and goods, noting that when the road was affected, it also affected the residents,” Mugabi added.

Despite convening meetings with stakeholders and following up with the town clerk and council, Simpson said no feedback has been provided.

“I convened a meeting of all stakeholders regarding blocking the road to dig marrum. How come someone bought land where there was a public road? However much we followed up this issue to council and the town clerk, no feedback was given,” he said.

Residents have expressed their frustrations, citing health and safety concerns. “There is a lot of speeding on this road, and accidents were common before these temporary humps were put,” a resident noted.

Another added, “There is too much speeding, and this doesn’t favor pedestrians and people with homes and businesses along the road.”

The dust has become a daily menace, with residents calling for urgent action to address the crisis.

Mr Mugabi summarized the community’s frustration, stating, “As residents, we are not happy about it. However, we write, we don’t get feedback.”