Drivers and matooke vendors at Kikona Market in Mbarara City are calling on the government to tarmac the Kikona-Nyakayojo-Katukuru and Mwizi-Kabuyanda roads, which have become nearly impassable in both dry and rainy seasons.
The deteriorating road conditions have disrupted transportation, affected businesses, and increased costs for traders and consumers alike.
Severe Road Conditions Disrupt Transport and Trade
Deep potholes, excessive dust, and mudslides have made the road hazardous for drivers and traders.
Many transporters are now opting for alternative routes, leading to a decline in matooke supply to Mbarara and beyond.
Mustafa Bugolobi, a driver from Isingiro, highlighted the dangers, stating, “There are potholes, and when it rains, our vehicles slide and sometimes overturn.”
Another driver expressed similar concerns, emphasizing the constant risks associated with using the road.
Health and Business Impact on Vendors
The worsening conditions are not only affecting transport but also creating health hazards for vendors.
Traders at Kikona Market complain about excessive dust, which impacts both their well-being and the quality of their produce.
“After work, as we head home, we are always covered in dust because it’s too dusty here,” a vendor lamented.
Matooke dealers also reported that drivers are diverting to Isingiro and Kisoro, reducing supply and increasing prices.
Rising Costs Due to Frequent Vehicle Breakdowns
The poor state of the road has significantly increased transportation costs, with frequent vehicle breakdowns and overturned trucks contributing to higher prices for matooke.
Mukyibi Ali, chairman of Kikona Matooke Market, noted that these disruptions are making it harder for traders to operate efficiently.
“Some vehicles overturn, damaging matooke, which results in higher prices,” he explained.
Government Acknowledges the Problem but Lacks Immediate Solutions
Mbarara City Mayor Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi acknowledged the traders’ concerns but explained that the road falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Works and Transport.
“That road belongs to the former UNRA, under the Ministry of Works and Transport. It is supposed to handle this road,” he stated, citing resource constraints as a major challenge to maintenance efforts.
Presidential Intervention Sought for Road Upgrade
Kakyebezi revealed that the issue had been escalated to President Museveni for possible intervention.
“This road was presented to the President because it becomes impassable, especially around Nyakayojo. It has always been promised to be tarmacked,” he noted.
He emphasized the road’s economic importance, as it serves as a key transport route for agricultural produce from Isingiro and Rwampara to Mbarara City and Kampala.
A Call for Urgent Action
Tarmacking the Kikona-Nyakayojo-Katukuru road would ease transportation, improve trade efficiency, and eliminate the dust and flooding problems.
Traders, drivers, and local leaders are urging the government to prioritize the road’s upgrade to support economic growth in the region.
