The Government of Uganda has urged district leadership not to utilise the 1 billion shillings disbursed for road maintenance during the heavy rains, as they risk having all works washed away.
In a statement dated November 21, 2023, the Minister for Works and Transport, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, said that the government and its agencies are exploring short, medium, and long-term strategies to enhance the resilience of the infrastructure against extreme weather events.
“Climate change poses a growing threat to our communities, and we are dedicated to implementing measures that will safeguard our infrastructure from future challenges,” Gen. Katumba said.
According to Gen. Katumba, the heavy rains across the country have caused significant damage to the road and bridge infrastructure, leading to widespread flooding, landslides, and erosion, resulting in deterioration.
He also said that the government is fully committed to addressing this pressing issue and ensuring the connectivity and well-being of its citizens.
“With the persistent rains, an immediate response by fixing damaged sections is not technically viable,” he said.
Gen. Katumba assured that once the rains subside, the government will immediately embark on the restoration works to restore smooth connectivity.
The public is advised to exercise caution while using damaged sections and approaching flooded sections of the roads and bridges and to avoid taking unnecessary risks where water levels have risen.