Sylvia
This morning, chaos has ensued on Kijura Road, just a few kilometers from Hakabale near Kamengo Primary School, as the surging waters of River Mpanga breached its banks, severing the road following heavy rains yesterday.
Scores of travelers found themselves stranded, unable to traverse the impassable route. Vehicles were left idle, and schoolchildren were among those left marooned.
A section of individuals who took matters into their own hands, offered their strength to carry people across the waterlogged stretch. In the same manner, mechanics stood ready to tackle the mechanical issues that arose from engines inundated by excessive water in both cars and motorcycles.
Individuals Resort to Ferrying People at a Cost
Muzamiru, one of the individuals assisting in ferrying people, revealed that they were charging fees based on weight, ranging from 2000shs to 5,000shs. His account of the story, shed light on the desperation of those attempting to navigate the disrupted route.
Road users shared their struggles, detailing the difficulties they faced in attempting to cross the flooded area. Many found themselves reluctantly bagging unplanned sums of money to secure assistance, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
Scola Kemirembe, who had journeyed from Kijura, disclosed that she had to pay 5,000shs to be lifted across as she urgently needed to reach Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital for health issues. Other travelers shared stories of missed burials in Kamengo due to the impassable waters.
Video: Strong Residents brave ferrying road users as the only way out at flooded Kijura Road in Kabarole District
Boda boda riders and LC3 Chairperson for Busoro sub-county, Abdala Agaba, attributed the river’s flooding and the subsequent road closure to environmental degradation, pointing fingers at UNRA for alleged tampering with trenches during road maintenance.
Abdala, recounted the historical recurrence of River Mpanga disrupting Kijura Road in the 1980s, urging the community to cease environmental degradation and appealed to the government for intervention.
Adding to the uncertainties, learners from Kamengo Primary School and Kamengo Secondary School expressed fears about returning home, lacking the funds required to pay the strong individuals facilitating the crossing.
Residents tired of Empty promises
In a surprising twist, it was revealed that the road, once traversed by President Museveni in 2011 during his visit to Rwenganju Village which had emerged the model village in farming, remains neglected despite a pledge to improve it.
The President, had envisioned easing transportation of produce from Rwenganju to markets. Twelve years later, the unfulfilled promise has left residents disillusioned and vocal about their frustration with leaders’ empty assurances.
Approximately two weeks ago, the Kabarole District Chairperson, Richard Rwabuhinga, intervened to pacify angry residents who were on the brink of staging a demonstration due to the very issue of impassable roads along the Kijura route.
Rwabuhinga, assuredthe residents that a team from the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) would promptly visit the scene and initiate road improvement efforts in the upcoming week.
Regrettably, in the time that has passed since his promise, there has been no discernible progress or visible work on the roads. This has left residents grappling with a multitude of unanswered questions to their leaders in government who have proven to care less of the deteriorating situation.
