Mbarara District Councillors expressed their dissatisfaction with the Works and Technical Services Committee regarding road project budgets and implementation in Mbarara District.
During a meeting at the district council hall in Kamukuzi a group of councillors, led by Kabireho Moses from Bwizibwera-Rutooma Town Council, walked out in protest, citing concerns over the allocation and usage of funds for road construction.
Roads under scrutiny included the Rubindi-Kashare road (8.5 km) at Shs.49.2 million, the Amabaare-Nyabisirira road (9 km) at Shs.22 million, Bwizibwera-Mabira-Kitookye road (13.03 km) priced at Shs.104.5 million, and the Mile 22-Rubaare-Nyamiriro road (15 km) at Shs.97.5 million.
Councillors raised issues about the discrepancy between the money allocated and the actual condition of the roads. "We need accountability and value for money," one councillor demanded, adding that it was unreasonable for such large sums to result in poorly maintained roads.
"104 million was allocated for the 13 km road, but what we have is a muddy road, and the bridge was damaged after just a few cars passed," noted another councillor, questioning the quality of the work done.
The councillors said they could no longer sit in the meeting without answers. Kabireho Moses, who led the walkout, stated that the lack of transparency from the district engineer and the Works Committee was the reason for their departure.
"The reason we left the meeting is because there was no accountability presented," he said, emphasizing that the condition of the roads did not reflect the large amounts of money supposedly spent.
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Basil Bataringaya, the Member of Parliament for Kashari North and Chairperson of the District Roads Committee, acknowledged the delays in road construction but attributed them to equipment issues. "By the end of 2023, the grader was faulty," he explained.
However, Bataringaya assured the council that the district now had three operational graders, one for Rwampara district, another one from Mbarara city and the one for the district that was repaired and that the funds allocated for road construction were now being used.
"This money has been available and is still available, and it is now being put to use by technical officers," he noted.
While Basil attempted to address the concerns, he also accused some councillors of trying to sabotage the district's leadership.
"These councillors are being misled and paid by people with a hidden agenda," he claimed, urging the Speaker to restore order in the council.
He called on councillors to work together for the development of the region rather than allowing divisions to disrupt progress.
"We shall not accept leaders who are up to dividing our district council and failing our cooperation," Basil added.
Speaking to related concerns, Ainembabazi Carolyn, the female youth representative for Mbarara City, also raised concerns accusing the council of corruption.
She explained that the youth have been left without an executive chairman since 2021 due to ongoing corruption issues.
"We were cheated of our money, and our voices were ignored," Ainembabazi stated, expressing frustration that even intervention from the National Resistance Movement (NRM) secretariat from Kampala had not resolved the matter.
