Tension Rises Over Road Repairs as Ibanda Chairperson Arrested During Community-Led Effort

Efforts to repair the severely damaged Ibanda–Kagongo–Kitagwenda Road turned chaotic on Monday afternoon, June 24, when police briefly arrested Ibanda District Chairperson Herbert Mayanja for leading what authorities termed an unauthorized road rehabilitation exercise.

Mayanja, accompanied by a team of local workers, had mobilized resources to begin filling potholes and grading the road, citing its critical condition and the government’s continued inaction. The operation was cut short when police intervened, claiming that the road falls under the jurisdiction of the Central Government and may only be worked on by agencies under the Ministry of Works and Transport.

According to Mayanja, previous attempts to engage the responsible authorities had yielded no tangible results. He noted that his request to use district equipment to carry out emergency repairs was denied, and he and his team were threatened with arrest.

“We cannot sit back while people suffer,” he said. “This road is a major lifeline, especially for pregnant mothers seeking antenatal services at Ibanda Hospital-Kagongo. Its current state puts lives at risk.”

Mayanja had earlier warned that he would organize a peaceful demonstration if the road remained neglected — a threat he says was meant to draw national attention to the matter.

The Ibanda–Kagongo–Kitagwenda Road connects multiple districts and is widely used by traders, transporters, and patients accessing medical services. Its deteriorating condition has sparked growing concern among residents and local leaders alike.

The arrest and ongoing tension underscore a deeper issue: the struggle between local government initiatives and centralized control over infrastructure development — with communities caught in the middle.