Flooded road cut off transport between Patongo and Adilang

1 June 2025, 7:42 AM

By Freeman Canogura

Heavy rains have rendered Moroto road, the main road connecting Patongo to Abim via Adilang impassable, cutting off transport for both vehicles and motorcycles and leaving thousands of residents stranded.

Several sections of the road are completely submerged, while others have developed deep gullies, posing serious risks to travelers and affecting access to essential services.

A spot check conducted by Radio Wang Ooh reporters revealed extensive waterlogging especially in areas like Ladere, Laperebong, and Patongo town council near Moo Dege Primary School, where stagnant water has formed trenches across the road, making it nearly impossible for even boda bodas to cross.

Residents say this is not the first time the road has been destroyed by rain, but no permanent solution has been implemented.

Oyo Michael, a boda boda rider operating in Adilang, says the state of the road has affected his daily income and made emergency transport nearly impossible.

Michael says he can no longer carry passengers or goods between the two towns, especially pregnant women or the sick, due to the flooded patches and fear of getting stuck.

The road is a key corridor for transporting produce such as sim sim, cassava, and millet to markets like in Oliga – Patongo, Adilang and Karamoja subregion. Now, many perishables are rotting at collection centres due to transport delays.

Apio Jennifer, a carbbage farmer from Lira, who uses the road to transport her goods say she has been stuck for days as transporters decline to risk the journey.

Jennifer says they depend on this season’s sales for school fees and medical expenses, but the road crisis is forcing them into losses and uncertainty.

Local leaders have expressed frustration over the district’s delayed response. They accuse the district authority of neglect and say appeals to the Ministry of Works have gone unanswered for months.

A subcounty chairperson who spoke on condition of anonymity, says repeated letters have been sent asking for emergency grading and culvert installation, but no action has been taken.

The chairperson says people are losing trust in the local government, and if nothing is done soon, lives could be lost due to delayed access to hospitals and poor mobility.