Traffic suspended as floods cut off Nakalama-Tirinyi-Mbale road

Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has suspended traffic on Nakalama-Tirinyi-Mbale highway after a section of the road was cut off by floods.
In a statement released on Tuesday morning, the Authority says a section of the road was cut off at KM77 at Lupada in Budaka District.
“Currently, the contractor and our team on the ground are working around the clock to restore the road to motorable condition,” said Unra's media relations manager, Mr Allan Ssempebwa.

In the meantime, road users travelling to Mbale from Kampala have been advised to use the Nakalama-Tororo-Mbale route while those travelling to Kumi to use Nakalama-Tirinyi-Pallisa to Kumi.
“UNRA is also working with the Uganda Police-Traffic and Safety Directorate to guide traffic and to ensure the safety of road users who may not be aware of this situation,” added a statement issued on Tuesday.

The road has been under rehabilitation by Dott Services Limited after their contract was reinstated and given 22 months, from March this year, to windup the works.

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  The irony is that this is not something strange or new. Every rainy season, residents suffer as various roads and bridges get swept away, while those who live in low-lying areas prepare to fight with floods, hauling water out of their houses every time it rains and moving their goods from shops to a place where they hope they will be kept dry

The contractors resumed work in March after MPs from Eastern Uganda renewed their demands for the construction the road on grounds that it had led to loss of many lives because of its poor state.
The construction tender of the road was awarded to Dott Services Limited but it had been terminated by UNRA for failure to honor their obligation in May 2017.
By the time the contract was terminated, the physical progress on the road was about 19.09% against the planned 94.46%.
The contract was reinstated on the advice of the Attorney General.

Several roads across the country have been affected by the floods caused by the ongoing heavy rains thereby leaving travellers stranded.