Okidi Patrick, Obongi – Members of Parliament on the social protection forum faced a significant delay during their visit to Obongi District. Their vehicles became stuck due to flooded and impassable roads.
The MPs, accompanied by technical staff from Parliament, the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), the Ministry of Gender, and the Ministry of Education, were on a three-day working visit aimed at addressing issues of child defilement, early marriages, and social protection.
Unfortunately, the team could not reach Obongi via the usual Adjumani-Sinyanya-Obongi ferry due to flooded roads. Instead, they took the newly tarmacked Adjumani-Laropi road to access the Laropi ferry. However, upon reaching the Moyo side, they encountered a 70-kilometer stretch of unpaved and potholed road leading to Obongi District.
Between Palorinya and Itula sub-counties, the group became stranded due to the poor road conditions and flooding. Late in the night, led by the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Forum on Social Protection, Hon. Kabahenda Flavia, the MPs removed their shoes and assisted in pushing their bus through the mud.
Despite their efforts, the MPs arrived at the Geo Country Inn in Obongi town much later than anticipated – around 11:00 pm instead of the planned 6:00 pm. They were received by Obongi district leaders including the area MP, Dr. Bokha Didi Geoge, the RDC, Samuel Mpimbaza Hashaka, the ARDC, Umuhoza Habiba Furaha, the District Vice Chairperson, Okunzi Luis Drale, and members of the District Executive Committee (DEC).
Expressing empathy with the challenges faced by the Obongi community, the MPs, still holding their shoes, promised to support efforts towards improving road infrastructure in the district.
Similar difficulties arose the next day when the team attempted to travel to Itula sub-county headquarters to meet with local residents. The flooded road between Lomunga in Gimara sub-county and Itula sub-county again caused delays. Fortunately, they were rescued by the pickups of the RDC Obongi and the Office of the Prime Minister.
The MPs, technical staff, and journalists expressed disappointment with the state of Obongi’s roads. They climbed onto the overloaded pickups, some even sitting or standing behind the cabins, fearing for their safety due to the potential of flooding.
In an interview, Obongi RDC, Samuel Mpimbasa Hashaka, emphasized the urgency of government intervention to improve the roads. He highlighted the critical disruption caused to the parliamentary committee’s work.
