By Weswa Ronnie
MBALE CITY
Residents of Mbale City today, Friday, 21st February, 2025 demonstrated against the poor condition of the Bufumbo-Busamaga road.
The protesters, including Boda Boda riders and locals, blocked the road with stones and logs, paralyzing traffic for over two hours until police intervened.
According to Rogers Mudega and Sam Wanzala, Boda Boda riders operating at Busamaga, Industrial Ward in Industrial City Division, the road is in a deplorable state, filled with dust and potholes. They claim that the dust has led to health issues, including flu, and are calling for urgent repairs.
Peter Wamugoda and Sezzi Wanzira, residents of Busamaga in Industrial City Division, expressed frustration that the government had failed to tarmac the road despite promises made 20 years ago.
They noted that the road had previously been tarmacked in the 1980s during Milton Obote’s era but has since worn out, and that the Uganda National Roads Authority’s (UNRA) attempt to repair it in 2010 only made things worse.
The protesters are puzzled as to why the Bufumbo-Busamaga road has been neglected, given that all major roads connecting Mbale City have been tarmacked.
However, UNRA spokesperson, Uzia Namalu Bwambale attributed the delay to the recent merger of UNRA with the Ministry of Works and Transport, promising that all roads under work plans will be addressed once the handover is complete.
By press time traffic was flowing freely after police opening the road with no arrests made.
