Transport in Abim District has virtually ground to a halt as major road networks remain impassable, leaving residents stranded and economic activity disrupted.
Residents say the already poor state of the roads has significantly worsened following minor rainfall, cutting off key transport routes and affecting trade, access to health services, and daily movement across the district.
In Kiru Town Council, residents report that even dry sections of the roads are severely damaged, with deep corrugations slowing travel and increasing transport costs. Brian Ochan, a resident, blamed poor workmanship for the deteriorating conditions.
“Our roads are totally bad. Even where it is dry, there is too much corrugation,” Ochan said. “The Ministry does not do comprehensive work and uses poor-quality marrum.”
Several road links in Abim have been cut off after light rainfall, a situation residents attribute to poorly constructed bridges. Owilli Allan Victor noted that flooding has rendered some roads completely unusable.
“The bridges are not well done. When it rains, the whole road floods,” he said, calling for urgent government intervention.
Along the Kotido–Soroti road, barely 100 meters from Abim Town Centre, a large ditch filled with mud and water has become a death trap for motorists. Drivers report being stranded for hours, while some vehicles have remained stuck for days.
Othii Principal Emmanuel, a resident of Abim Town Council, expressed frustration over what he described as repeated but ignored complaints to authorities.
“We have always told our leaders that the roads are bad,” he said. “I don’t know whether it is our leaders keeping quiet or the Ministry failing to do its work.”
The Abim–Napak road has also been blocked due to shoddy bridge works, completely cutting off movement between the two districts. Similarly, the Abim–Agago road remains flooded even after light rainfall, further isolating communities.
Residents say their concerns to district leaders and relevant government offices have gone unanswered, leaving them feeling helpless.
During his recent campaign tour in Karamoja, President Museveni directed the Ministry of Works and Transport to immediately begin road works in the region.
However, little progress has been observed on the ground, raising questions about the quality of previous works and delays in implementing the President’s directive.
Residents are now calling for urgent action, warning that continued neglect of the road network will further cripple economic activity and service delivery in Abim District.