By Weswa Ronnie
BUTEBO
Butebo District leaders and locals are having reason to smile after getting their first tarmac road in their history.
The 1.6 kilometers tarmac road is going to be constructed by Keddi Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organization in partnership with Butebo district local government.
This was revealed by James Okurut, the LCV chairperson of Butebo district while speaking at the launch of Namuswata road construction works at Namuswata Cell, Namuswata Ward, Petete Town Council, on Thursday, 11th April, 2024.
Okurut said that this is going to be the first tarmac road in the entire district.
He added that district, UNRA and sub county roads are all in very sorry state due to limited road funds they receive from central government.
Okurut adds that out of 1 billion shillings which government allocated to all districts in 2022/2023 only 500 million has so far been released which is too little to work on all district roads.
The LCV adds that when Kennedy Stephen Zuluba, the executive director of Keddi foundation reached out to him with the aim of tamarcking any district road, he gave them Namuswata road which has been in a worse state.
Florence Nabukwasi, the chief administrative officer of Butebo district expressed her happiness with Keddi Foundation for having such developmental plans.
She urged other development partners and well wishers to copy Keddi Foundation and support the district in any sector as a way of pushing Butebo ahead.
Juliet Najjuma Sekole, the Butebo Resident District Commissioner warned people in the area where the road is being constructed not to steals road materials or equipments.
She urged them to embrace the project such that Butebo can develop like other districts.
Meanwhile, Zuluba said that the purpose of tamarcking that road is to ease transport in the area which has been a problem due to impassable roads.
He adds that road construction has already kicked off saying after road construction, the foundation is going to install solar streets lights to enable people move or do businesses at any time.
Zuluba revealed that Keddi foundation is going to ask the district to give them another road which they will tarmac 6 kilometers but urged other development partners and well wishers to emulate him because government alone has no money to do everything at all districts across the country.
Zuluba urged people in the area especially farmers to use those roads to transport their agricultural products to Mbale city and neighbouring towns such that they boost their income.
Some of the locals who spoke to our reporter after the launch expressed their happiness saying transport in their area is going to be easier.
