Oyam district protests inadequate road funding, resulting in poor roads

9 January 2025, 5:10 pm

By Deogracious opio okori

In their survey on 6th January 2025, the committee, led by Chairperson Honourable Santa Alum Ogwang, the Woman Member of Parliament for Oyam District, reaffirmed the inadequate release of funds from the Ministry of Transport and Works, attributing the poor road conditions in the district to this issue.

However, amidst the financial challenges, Mr George Okite, the district engineer, highlighted the progress made, accounting for the allocation of one billion shillings in the 2024/2025 financial year. They had planned to work on 96 kilometres of roads, of which 41.3 km has been completed.

On the other hand, Oyam District Woman MP Hon. Santa Alum Ogwang praised the Oyam District local government for appropriately using the limited resources to maintain some roads.

In response to delays in the rehabilitation of Kona Molem, Iceme to Oryemapat Bridge, and Bobi roads, Alum raised several challenges, including delays caused by the rationalisation of the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) under the Ministry of Works and Transport, as well as limited equipment distribution in the district. 

Alum Ogwang further reassured the people of Oyam, urging calmness, and stated that as Members of Parliament and members of the Roads Committee, they are planning to pressure Parliament and the ministry for an additional one billion shillings.

However, Benson Walter Dila Oyuku, the Oyam District Chairperson, who also serves as Vice Chairperson of the Roads Committee, appealed to the community to take precautions with rehabilitated roads by avoiding corrugating using ox ploughs and creating holes along the road sides through brick-making.

Oyam district is one of the largest districts in Uganda, with over 500 km of roads, including national and local government roads. However, it receives only one billion shillings, which is equally shared with smaller districts across the country.