The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Second National Vice Chairperson (Female), Anitah Among, has criticised technical officers in local governments for the continued poor state of district roads despite receiving funds from the central government.
Speaking while accompanying President Museveni, the NRM presidential flagbearer, on his campaign trail in eastern Uganda, Among said that each district had been allocated Shs 1 billion for road maintenance, yet many roads remain in deplorable condition due to negligence by district engineers and administrators.
"We provided one billion shillings per district for road maintenance. The issue is not lack of funding but the failure of technical people on the ground to implement. That blame cannot be placed on the President," Among said.
She was responding to the President's recent concerns about idle road construction equipment and unmaintained roads in Bukedi and neighbouring regions despite adequate budget allocations.
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Among stressed that the problem was not with government policy or funding, but with poor implementation and lack of accountability at the district level.
"The government is ready to give more money for roads, but we need accountability. The technical teams must ensure these roads are worked on," she added.
Reflecting on the NRM's ongoing campaign progress, Among said the ruling party's message focuses on service delivery, wealth creation, and turning Ugandans into active participants in the money economy through initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM).
"Our campaign is about improving livelihoods through programmes that bring people into the money economy. That is what sets the NRM apart," Among said, noting that the government's investments in education, health, and security continue to strengthen public confidence in President Museveni's leadership.
On internal party cohesion, Among revealed that the NRM had established a reconciliation committee chaired by Hajji Moses Kigongo to resolve tensions arising from members intending to contest as independents.
"The issue of independents is being handled. Several ministers have already stepped down in support of the party flag bearers," she said.
