The Ugandan government has started the process of repairing a damaged section of the Kabale-Kisoro road. This particular road segment in Hamurwa, Rubanda District, had suffered a collapse due to heavy rainfall on May 4. The repair project, with an estimated cost of Shs3.7 billion, is anticipated to be completed within four months.
Initially, to manage the situation, the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) had temporarily rerouted traffic through alternative routes, such as the Kabale-Katuna-Rubaya-Muko-Kisoro road and Kabale-Lake Bunyonyi. However, this diversion was later lifted, and vehicles were allowed to use one side of the damaged road.
UNRA officials, including Mr. Allan Ssempebwa, the UNRA media relations manager, and Ms. Alison Abenabo, the Kabale area station engineer, are overseeing the repair work. Ms. Abenabo explained that the contractor, Greystone Investment Ltd, is focusing on stabilizing the road base by adding more rocks, using geotextile material, and applying several layers of compacted gravel before the final asphalt layer.
To ensure safety during the construction, the contractor is creating diversions for pedestrians and implementing speed control and safety measures. The project is expected to be completed within four months, with the contractor also given a six-month liability period.
Local residents, road users, and community leaders are encouraged to cooperate with the contractor to facilitate the timely completion of the repair. The delay in repairing the damaged road section was to allow for a thorough investigation into the root cause of the problem and to develop appropriate long-term solutions.
Representing the contractor, Mr. Ibrahim Bwiine, mentioned that they have deployed specialized equipment to expedite the repair process, considering the potential disruptions caused by rain. Additionally, the contractor is sourcing local materials and providing employment opportunities to residents for casual labor.
Local residents and truck drivers have expressed relief that the government is taking action to fix the damaged road section, which has been a significant inconvenience for road users.
