Ntungamo Leaders Raise Quality Concerns Over Kitwe–Bugamba Road Works

Residents and local leaders fear poor materials and delayed works could shorten the lifespan of the road and waste public funds if corrective action is not taken.

Residents and local leaders in Ntungamo District have raised concerns over the quality and pace of rehabilitation works on the Kitwe–Rukoni–Rwoho–Bugamba central government road, accusing contractors of using unsuitable materials.

The road is currently covered with loose sand, soil and large stones, with piles of the materials placed along sections undergoing rehabilitation.

Residents say the ungraded surface has made movement difficult for motorists, while loose materials are generating excessive dust and worsening conditions along some sections.

Amon Nabasa, the Rukoni West District councillor, said the materials being used on the road were of poor quality and suggested that pressure to complete the works had contributed to the situation.

“The murram is substandard. Due to the pressure that Minister Balaam Barugahara is coming soon, they started doing things day and night,” Nabasa said.

Residents have also expressed concern that the road could deteriorate quickly once the rainy season begins, citing what they describe as inadequate drainage.

Richard Mwesigwa, a district councillor for Rwoho Town Council, questioned the suitability of the materials being used and raised concerns about drainage infrastructure.

“They brought big stones instead of murram. I don't know how it will be when it rains. They got soil and poured on broken pipes,” Mwesigwa said.

Steven Byabashaija, the Rukoni East district councillor, said rehabilitation of the road had been scheduled for 2025 but was delayed before works intensified recently.

“There is a lot of sand. There is no gravel. They are getting big stones, sand, soil and they pour on top of uncleared bush. We cannot tolerate wastage of taxpayers' money,” Byabashaija said.

The leaders attributed the recent acceleration of works to complaints over the delays and pressure linked to inspections by central government officials.

They called on the Minister of Works and Transport to intervene and ensure that appropriate materials are used and that the road is constructed to the required standards.

Local leaders also called for better coordination between central government agencies and authorities on the ground, saying rehabilitation works began without adequate communication with them.

Residents said the concerns are part of wider challenges facing central government roads in Ntungamo, where several routes have continued to deteriorate amid delays in routine maintenance and rehabilitation.

The residents and leaders want the Ministry of Works and Transport to inspect the ongoing works and address the concerns before further public resources are committed to the project.