Residents from various villages in Bubongo parish, Kabwoya sub-county, Kikuube district, are urging the government to tackle the pressing issues of poor roads and lack of electricity that are impeding local development.
Despite multiple appeals to district leaders, residents continue to grapple with these challenges, causing significant hardships, particularly affecting women and children.
Wilberforce Bekunda, a resident of Kabango village, Kabwoya sub-county, lamented the lack of progress in connecting the area to the electricity grid. He emphasized the detrimental impact of this absence on local development, hindering businesses such as welding, salons, popcorn production, and bars, which rely on electricity.
Moreover, the absence of safe water sources exacerbates the community’s plight, forcing residents to share water with wildlife from swamps. With one borehole breaking down a decade ago, residents face water scarcity, risking waterborne diseases due to contamination from industrial waste, particularly from Hoima Sugar Limited.
Oliva Atuhairwe, a farmer from Kabango, highlighted the adverse effects of poor roads on agricultural activities. The Kiziranfumbi-Mukabara-Kabwoya road, crucial for transporting agricultural goods, suffers from a collapsed bridge, making transportation challenging and impacting access to essential services like schools, health facilities, and markets.
In response to these concerns, Kikuube district’s woman MP, Florence Natumanya, acknowledged the challenges. She pledged to engage with Hoima Sugar Limited to address road rehabilitation, as the company’s trucks often damage the roads. Additionally, she mentioned plans to provide piped water to alleviate the water crisis and ensure proper waste disposal to safeguard the environment.
Regarding electricity, Natumanya assured residents of ongoing efforts by the government to extend electrical connectivity. However, due to budget constraints, priority will be given to schools, healthcare facilities, and trading centers in the initial phase.
