Kitgum municipality stuck with 500 million shillings for road improvement

25 October 2023, 2:30 pm

By Otim Moses

At least shillings 500 million meant for road refurbishment in Kitgum Municipality is lying idle due to irregularities in the implementation guidelines from the government.

The funds in question are part of the one billion shillings being allotted by the government to each city, district and municipality countrywide under the road development grant programme for road refurbishment.

Kitgum municipal town clerk Ayuub Kisuubi Alikwan on Wednesday confirmed that for the first two quarters of this financial year, the government cumulatively disbursed 500 million shillings but the money still lies unutilized due to divergent implementation guidelines.

Ayuub says initially, the municipality was supposed to plan for funds but Cabinet through the works ministry issued another guideline on the utilisation before the clerk to Parliament also issued another conflicting directive that the money should be allotted under the Uganda Road Fund.

Ayuub says they have opted not to spend the funds as they wait for clear guidelines on the actual implementation of the funds earmarked for roads development.

Kitgum municipal mayor Richard Ojara Okwera says the condition coupled with the limited alternative funding from the Uganda Road Fund has affected all planned road works in this financial year.

Ojara, however, says engagements are on a higher level to ensure that the government is implored to set clear guidelines to utilize the funds.