Grader Breakdown Stalls Vital Road Repair in Lira's Agali Sub-county

Rehabilitation of a crucial nine-kilometre road in Agali Sub-County, Lira District, has stalled following the breakdown of the district’s only functional grader, despite the road being prioritised in the 2024/2025 financial year budget.

The road, which connects Agali Seed Secondary School, Agali Primary School and Ocamo-nyang Trading Centre to the boundary with Awei Sub-county in neighbouring Alebtong District, has become nearly impassable.

Residents say the deteriorated state of the road is affecting access to schools, health centres, and markets.

Alex Okello, the chairperson of Agali Sub-county, described the road’s condition as dire.

“The road has deteriorated to a point where even motorcycles struggle to pass. Movement has become extremely difficult, especially for schoolchildren and patients,” he said.

Bonny Omara, the vice chairperson of Lira District and Leader of Government Business, acknowledged the delays and attributed them to the grader’s mechanical fault.

“That road is one of over 300 kilometres earmarked for rehabilitation in the current budget. Unfortunately, our grader broke down about a month ago, which stalled several scheduled works, including in Agali,” Omara said.

He added that repairs on the machine have since been completed, and road works in Agali are expected to resume within two weeks.

“We understand the community’s frustration. The good news is that the grader is now operational, and fuel has already been deposited at the station to ensure prompt resumption,” he said.

Omara further assured residents that if the work is not completed before the close of the current financial year, it will be carried forward to the next one to guarantee completion.

The Agali road is a lifeline for the local community, serving farmers, traders and students.

Its repair is expected to improve service delivery, ease transportation of agricultural produce, and enhance access to social services.

Residents remain hopeful that with the grader now fixed and funding secured, the long-overdue roadworks will soon commence and bring relief to the area.