Kalembe to tackle poor roads, poverty in Mbale

Independent presidential candidate Nancy Linda Kalembe has expressed disappointment over the  poor state of roads in Mbale City, saying if elected, they will be among her first priorities to tackle.
Ms Kalembe, while on a campaign trail yesterday, noted that the poor state of roads in the newly created city and Bugisu Sub-region at large is tremendously affecting economic growth.

This was after her convoy negotiated potholes filled with muddy water on Cathedral Avenue, one of the busiest streets in the city once referred to as the “Jewel of East Africa” by former President Milton Obote.
“Mbale City deserves better. It has been neglected, roads are in terrible condition but if elected, I will  increase the budget allocated to this  city and others to do more roads,” she said.
According to the residents, Mbale city used to have about 43kms of tarmac about four decades ago but now has less than five.

Most of the tarmac roads, mostly in Senior and Indian quarters, are now in a pitiable condition with potholes.
Other roads such as Wanale, Naboa, Cathedral, Manafwa, Masaba -Bunghokho presidential circuit and Mbale- Nkokonjeru have also been dilapidated and turned into murram.
The residents asked Ms Kalembe, if elected  president, to endeavour to allocate more money to tarmac roads in order to spur economic growth.

“We need better roads to transport our agricultural produce to the market,”  Mr  John Magomu, a farmer and resident of Busamaga Ward in Northern City Division, said.
Earlier, Ms Kalembe, while addressing journalists at Hotel 100, said her government will revive cooperatives and empower Ugandans financially.
“I want people of Mbale to know that finally someone from this region is standing up for them and is ready to fight for them  and get them out of  poverty,” she said.