Funds Delay Stalling Mityana-Mubende Road Construction, Says Kasaija

The Minister for Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Matia Kasaija, has disclosed that roadworks on the Mityana-Mubende Road stalled due to delays in the release of funds. He made this statement in response to concerns raised by Members of Parliament regarding the poor state of roads across the country during a parliamentary session chaired by Speaker Anita Among on Tuesday, 15 October 2024.

Kasaija acknowledged that a section of the Mityana-Mubende Road is in poor condition, attributing this to delayed disbursements, which affected the contractor’s ability to complete the project on time. “The contractor is now well-prepared and back on duty. In about three months, there will be significant progress on the road,” he assured.

This response came after the area Member of Parliament expressed frustration over the road's slow progress, noting that the construction, which began in 2020, remains incomplete.

Kasaija, however, clarified that only part of the Kampala-Mubende Road is in bad shape, stating, “It is not true that the entire road is in a horrible state. I use it every weekend, and from Busega to Nalutuntu, the road is beautiful. The section from Nalutuntu to Mubende needs repairs.”

Other MPs voiced similar concerns about various roads across the country. Bugiri District Woman Representative, Agnes Taaka, highlighted the dire state of the Kampala-Jinja highway, urging for an update on ongoing maintenance. Speaker Among also demanded answers regarding delays in starting construction on the Kampala-Jinja Expressway and repairs on a critical bridge between Bukedea and Bulambuli District.

In response, the Minister of State for Works, Musa Ecweru, pledged to compile a list of unfinished roads in the NRM manifesto and address the challenges encountered in securing funds for road maintenance during the next Cabinet meeting.