Frustrated by the deteriorating state of roads across Tororo District, local leaders have constituted a new District Roads Committee tasked with improving accountability and ensuring better utilisation of road maintenance funds.
The committee was formed during an emergency meeting convened after the previous District Roads Committee’s term expired, leaving large sections of the district’s road network in a poor state.
The deteriorating roads have rendered many routes impassable, disrupting the movement of people, goods and essential services.
Within Tororo Municipality alone, only 80 kilometres of the 180-kilometre road network remain motorable, raising concerns among leaders and residents over the effectiveness of road maintenance efforts.
Tororo County South Member of Parliament Frederick Angura was elected chairperson of the committee, while Speaker of Parliament Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth will serve as one of its members.
During the meeting, committee members questioned the utilisation of approximately Shs1 billion allocated annually for road maintenance, citing poor accountability and continued deterioration of infrastructure despite the funding.
Speaking at the meeting, Speaker Oboth criticised what he described as inflated road maintenance costs.
"We are tired of your extortionist way of doing roads. Grading one kilometre costs between five and fourteen million shillings. We have road equipment, and you only need about 150 litres of fuel for one kilometre," he said.
The Speaker urged the newly constituted committee to ensure value for every shilling spent, especially as government plans to increase the annual road maintenance allocation from Shs1 billion to Shs2 billion per district beginning in the next financial year.
"We demand good roads in Tororo. It is no longer a privilege. Good roads will stimulate socio-economic development in the district. I commit myself to remain available to support this committee," he added.
Oboth-Oboth also addressed concerns over the delayed tarmacking of the 44-kilometre Nagongera–Busolwe Road, a project that has been promised by government for years.
He said the road, alongside Rubongi–Budumba and Malaba–Kwapa roads, has already been prioritised for upgrading before 2029, with efforts underway to secure financing.
"We have the Nagongera–Busolwe Road, 44 kilometres, Rubongi–Budumba, 45 kilometres, and Malaba–Kwapa. All these are planned before 2029. The design for Nagongera–Busolwe is complete, and we are now looking for financing," he said.
Newly elected committee chairperson Frederick Angura welcomed the Speaker’s commitment, noting that improved road infrastructure is essential for supporting the region’s growing agricultural economy.
"We have just launched coffee, cocoa and banana growing in this region. These enterprises require good roads to enable farmers to access markets," Angura said.
With the Speaker of Parliament now serving on the District Roads Committee and government pledging increased funding for road maintenance, residents will be watching closely to see whether the new committee can deliver lasting improvements to a road network that has long constrained Tororo District’s socio-economic development.
