Residents and business owners along the Ibanda–Kagongo road in Ibanda District are faulting the Ministry of Works and Transport for what they describe as failure to urgently rehabilitate the deteriorating road section.
The approximately two-kilometre stretch from Ibanda town to Rwengiri Trading Centre forms part of the Ibanda–Kitagwenda road, a key transport route connecting Ibanda to communities in Kitagwenda and neighbouring districts, including Rubirizi.
Despite the road’s importance, residents say the section has continued to deteriorate, with potholes reportedly being filled with murram instead of receiving a lasting rehabilitation solution.
They say the poor state of the road has created excessive dust, especially during dry weather, with passing vehicles raising clouds of dust that enter nearby shops, businesses, and homes.
Business owners say the persistent dust is affecting their operations, while residents are concerned about the conditions under which they are forced to live and work.
The residents are now demanding immediate intervention from the Ministry of Works and Transport, accusing the authorities of failing to address the deteriorating road despite its importance to the local community and surrounding districts.
Daily scope contacted the Ministry of Works and Transport for an update on plans to rehabilitate the road.
The ministry spokesperson, Allan Ssempebwa, acknowledged the inquiry and promised to provide a response on the government’s plans for the affected section.
However, by the time of filing this report, the ministry had not yet provided a substantive response on when rehabilitation works would begin.