Published on 11/10/2024
Hon. Alex Ruhunda, Member for Parliament for Fort Portal city, has raised serious concerns about the deteriorating condition of the Fort Portal-Kampala Road.
Ruhunda strongly criticized Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja for neglecting this crucial infrastructure, despite frequently using the route herself.
Ruhunda emphasized the urgent need for repairs to ensure safety and economic stability. The road’s poor state has significantly impacted transportation and local businesses. His call to action aims to prompt immediate government intervention.
During a parliamentary session, Ruhunda who had no kind words, expressed frustration pointing out Finance Minister Matia Kasaija, State Minister for Transport Fred Byamukama and other top government officials who also use the road yet have not championed its repair.
He noted that the journey, once a manageable four-hour drive, now exceeds seven hours due to severe potholes and lack of proper maintenance.
Ruhunda emphasized that the road’s poor condition has not only disrupted mobility but also poses severe safety risks, causing significant delays and tragically claiming hundreds of lives.
In his address to Parliament, he urged the government to make the road’s repair a priority, highlighting its essential role in regional connectivity and economic development.
The MP also linked the poor road conditions to increased road accidents, attributing them to avoidable structural issues rather than solely driver errors.
As the founding chairperson of the Parliamentary Forum for Road Safety, Ruhunda further stressed that in a country with active traffic laws like Uganda, better-maintained roads would substantially reduce fatalities but government has not played its part.
He appealed to the Prime Minister for urgent intervention, noting that the Fort Portal-Kampala road’s condition reflects a broader issue impacting other national road infrastructures across the country.
