Residents of Mbuga Parish in Nyakinama Sub-county, Kisoro District, are protesting the district leadership’s alleged interference with a local investor’s plan to renovate the approximately 10-kilometer Mbuga–Chihe–Nyakinama road.
The poor condition of this crucial infrastructure is severely hindering service delivery in the area.
The road, which connects the five villages of Buhayo, Taba, Bugwene, Gase, and Buzigambogo within Mbuga Parish, is currently dilapidated. It becomes muddy and impassable during the rainy season and is riddled with potholes and gullies, significantly impeding transportation.
According to local residents, they had reached an agreement with a local investor, Muneza Boniface, for the road’s renovation to improve service delivery. In return, the community promised to grant him free access to his campsite.
However, their efforts were thwarted when they informed the Kisoro District leadership, who reportedly halted the process. District authorities argued that the investor’s initiative was not aligned with government programs, asserting that the district itself had plans to renovate the road.
This intervention has sparked frustration among residents, who point to the worsening poor service delivery, escalating transport costs, and limited market access for their agricultural produce due to the poor road network.
Ntaborundimu Francis, the LC1 Chairperson of Taba Village, stated that the community has frequently been compelled to use their own resources for road repairs, despite it being a district responsibility. He criticized the district for its neglect of the road and its decision to obstruct the investor’s much-needed intervention.
Matsiko David, the LC2 Chairperson of Mbuga Parish, described the district’s actions as a significant setback, accusing the leadership of undermining local development initiatives.
He urged district leaders to engage in collaboration and partnership with local leaders to facilitate the road’s renovation.
