Rwampara district launches mega road project after receiving equipment, funds

Amos Tayebwa

Mbarara

Rwampara District is the latest among the 17 newly to receive a set of road equipment units from the Central Government for the purpose of road maintenance services with engineers and technocrats being cautioned against embezzlement of road funds.

They include a motor Grader and a wheel loader.

On Tuesday, 22 May, 2024, after receiving the road equipment unit, the district leadership launched a 20km road construction from Nyakaguruka via Ihunga- Kigari- Kabutare up to Karangara. It also links Mwizi in Rwampara East County. About Shs120m has been allocated to this project and works are expected to take only two weeks.

Recently, the district’s engineers and technocrats were interdicted from their offices for allegedly stealing road funds meant for Nyamukana -Kibare road, Katereza -Kinoni road and Bituntu road.

Jane Asiimwe Muhindo, the Rwampara Resident District Commissioner said that this time as the leaders of Rwampara are on CAO’s and the engineers’ watch about every activity that will be done on the roads.

“We are going to follow up events in order to ensure proper accountability. We shall be tight on the CAO’s move so that he does not release money anyhow. We agreed that people have to be given money of a certain kilometer and after they are done with that then they take on another. We have had mistakes in the past where the CAO would requisition much money in lump sum for the roads. Practically you cannot implement many roads when there was even no road equipment and that’s why some engineers took this advantage to embezzle our money. Investigations are going on under the Statehouse Anti Corruption,” Muhindo said.

Julius Tusiime Karuhanga, the Rwampara East County Member of Parliament said that the current engineers should not repeat the same mistakes.

“The other group of people who were in your positions now, it’s true they liked corruption and that’s why we sat as MPs and other Leaders and said no let the security team help us and follow up the matter. We do not want that kind of corruption in Rwampara, whoever that will be found embezzling the government funds the law will work on them. We shall actually ensure that the money that was eaten must be refunded so that our people can get the services they expect from us as leaders, we cannot leave a road like Byanamira to Nyamukana unworked on reasons that people stole the money, we are not seated we shall keep engaging security to ensure our money is refunded,” he said.

Molly Asiimwe, the Rwampara Woman Member of Parliament and the Chairperson of district roads committee called for speedy investigations into those who embezzled roads cash.

She appealed to the public to stop cheap politics and politicking against the services and the projects that have been put in place.

“Stop looking at things the way you want sometimes in a negative way. Let’s always appreciate and give credit where it is deserved. Let us monitor when our roads are being worked on by these engineers. I want maximum cooperation between the community and the engineers,” said MP Asiimwe.