Residents block Jinja-Kampala Highway over slow roadworks
Police officers try to remove fire which residents put up in the middle of the road. PHOTO | DANIEL M SSENFUMA
What you need to know:
- The protest, which lasted for about an hour, caused traffic gridlock in the area before police from Mukono intervened
Residents of Kigomya Village along the Jinja-Kampala highway staged a demonstration on Friday, blocking the road with logs and setting tires on fire to protest the slow progress of roadworks.
The protest, which lasted for about an hour, caused traffic gridlock in the area before police from Mukono intervened and engaged the protesters, successfully bringing the situation under control.
The community's frustration and desperation were palpable, as they claimed that despite several attempts to bring their concerns to the authorities, their pleas have fallen on deaf ears.
Village chairperson James Mujunga stated that the residents have been patient, but the unbearable dust and slow progress of works have become unbearable.
The rehabilitation of the Kampala-Jinja highway has been a longstanding issue, with members of the parliamentary works committee repeatedly raising concerns about poor and slow works on the project, which began several years ago.
The $1.4 billion project, being undertaken by M/s Energoprojekt Niskogradnja A.D., has faced significant delays, affecting traffic flow and leading to motor crashes.
The government has contributed approximately $400 million to the project, which is eagerly awaited to alleviate severe traffic congestion and enhance economic productivity.
The residents' protest highlights the need for urgent action to address the challenges hindering the project's progress and ensure its timely completion.
