Rukungiri – There are huge potholes on various sections of Rukungiri – Ntungamo posing a danger to motorists and other road users.
Rukungiri – Ntungamo highway connects Rukungiri to Ntungamo district however, the road has become a nightmare for heavy traffic at some sections filled with huge potholes in Buyanja – OmuKiragiro, Omukiragiro trading center to Kebisoni town, Kiborogota section, Kahengye section, Nyamunuka section ,Rwashamire section on Ntungamo side among others .
The road also lacks a well-constructed drainage system and is too narrow for big trucks. As a result, trucks have to move slowly, which has compounded poor traffic flow and jam on the highway.
Several heavy trucks laden with different products and goods often get stuck along the road while others break down completely.
Commuter taxis operators often complain of taking long on the highway because of it poor state.
Mr William Tushabomwe, 46, a resident of Buyanja sub-county in Rukungiri district and regular user of Rukungiri – Ntungamo Highway says they are soon planting bananas in every pothole on the road so as to remind government about its responsibility.
” I think planting trees and banana trees on this road will save the lives of many people perishing on the road”.Mr Tushabomwe said.
Mr Tushabomwe blames government for neglecting the country’s major highway causing losses to businessmen and at times accidents that involve loss of lives.
” There is a dangerous spot after Buyanja town council and it is found in a corner. This pothole caused an accident two weeks ago that left 3 people dead “.Mr Tushabomwe added.
Mr Boaz Byaruhanga, a Boda boda rider in Kebisoni town council says he has sustained injuries as a result of falling into trenches while trying to evade the potholes.
” The condition of this road are appalling because characterized by wide and deep potholes that worsen transport, especially during rainy days”. Mr Byaruhanga said.
Mr Muwumuza Robert, another resident of Buyanja town council says the road is terrifying for travelers, adding that several people have lost their lives and businesses over the poor state of the road.
” This roads is full of deadly potholes and because of these potholes, the road has become narrow and small posing our lives at a risk of being killed by heavy speeding vehicles”. Mr Muwumuza said.
Mr Turyahumura Simon, a taxi operator and a resident of Rwashamire town council said his vehicle has repeatedly broken down with people’s goods because of the huge potholes.”
This road accommodates hundreds of taxis from Kanungu and Rukungiri districts.This is on top of personal vehicles, Boda Bodas and pedestrians all of whom compete for space on the same road. Because of potholes we are forced to move slowly a thing that makes us delay on the way while transporting people and their commodities “. Mr Turyahumura said.
Ms Dorothy Kyatuhaire 35, an expectant mother and resident of Nyamunuka town council told our reporter that she takes a huge risk to travel from Nyamunuka to Ntungamo town for anti-natal care because of the sorry state of the busy road.
“Last month , I was about to miss my antenatal visit because of this road. For sure the road is in a sorry state and it is from this background that I request the government to respond and work on this road”.Ms Kyatuhaire said.
Mr Julius Mugabe , Mr Musa Mugisha both a taxi driver said ” The road is in a bad shape which exposes us and the passengers to accidents”.
The two also blamed the Ministry of Works and Transport for being incompetent saying that the government should be held responsible for keeping this road in a bad shape because for us as road users we pay taxes on daily basis.
“The government needs to improve its routine maintenance to this road whenever the need arises because this road is used by different categories of people like tourists , big government people and us local people”. They said in an interview with our reporter.
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