A section of residents of Bushenyi district has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the government to repair the Ishaka-Mbarara Highway, threatening to block the road if action is not taken.
This highway serves as a crucial link between several districts, including Bushenyi, Sheema, Kasese, Mbarara, Ntungamo, and Rukungiri.
It also acts as an inter-regional route connecting Uganda to Rwanda, South Sudan, and Tanzania.
However, for years now, travelers have raised concerns about the road's deteriorating condition, citing numerous potholes that have contributed to a rise in accidents along the highway.
In response, a local civic movement called "Make Bushenyi Great Again," which holds civic and political leaders accountable, has petitioned the Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Katumba Wamala, urging immediate repairs to the road.
In their petition dated May 15, residents have demanded that the ministry commence repairs within 14 days or face mobilization efforts to block the road until their demands are met.
"As you are aware, Ishaka - Mbarara Highway is full of potholes and impassible. Many people have perished rushed on this road because of its current terrible state. The situation has reached intolerable levels and poses more danger to travelers," the petition reads.
It adds, "Therefore, we hereby issue a 14 days ultimatum to the Ministry of Works and Transport to start repairs on this road or seal potholes on the most dangerous road sections. Failure to take action will leave us with no choice but to mobilize citizens to block the road until our demands are met."
Speaking to this reporter, Mugizi, one of the petition's leaders, expressed concern over the road's dire state, emphasizing the danger it poses to residents.
"As local residents of Bushenyi, we refuse to continue losing lives on this road, with accidents occurring almost daily. We are giving the government a maximum of fourteen days. If they do not begin repairs or address the potholes in the most dangerous areas, we will have no option but to block the road," Mugizi stated.
When asked if they had engaged with the relevant authorities, Mugizi revealed that they had done so for years but received only empty promises.
"They have been promising to repair the road for over five years. Enough is enough. We, the people of Bushenyi, are fed up. This issue affects not just Bushenyi but also the districts of Sheema and Mbarara," he added.
Mugizi questioned why the highway, which connects several East African countries like Tanzania, Rwanda, and South Sudan, has been neglected despite its economic significance to the country.
"Therefore, we hereby issue a 14-day ultimatum to the Ministry of Works and Transport to start repairs on this road or seal potholes on the most dangerous sections. Failure to take action will leave us with no choice but to mobilize citizens to block the road until our demands are met." he remarked.
We contacted Allan Ssempebwa, a communication specialist at the Ministry of Works and Transport, who confirmed that they are working on a response to the petition.
He mentioned that additional information about the Ishaka-Mbarara highway situation would be shared shortly.