Amuria authorities seize 19 ox-ploughs in crackdown on road destruction

___________________

Authorities in the eastern district of Amuria have confiscated at least 19 ox-ploughs during the ongoing rainy season as part of an initiative to safeguard local roads from damage caused by farmers placing their equipment on them.

This operation, carried out by district officials alongside security agencies, was prompted by the alarming discovery that 25 to 30 kilometres of roads have been significantly damaged due to farmers pulling their ox-ploughs in the area.

Moses Opolot Odong, senior assistant engineer and superintendent of works for Amuria district, explained that as local communities tend to their gardens, they often plough murrum roads, leaving marks that, when it rains, allow water to flow in and create gullies and drains along the road surface.

According to Section 63 of Uganda’s Roads Act, 2019, damaging, removing or obscuring public roads, bridges or road furniture is a serious offence. Violators face severe penalties, including hefty fines or imprisonment.

To prevent further road damage and enforce the Roads Act, Opolot said the ox-ploughs were impounded, and owners are required to perform manual labour, including clearing two kilometres of road, filling gullies and potholes, and ensuring drainage structures are accessible.

He said the approach is intended to educate communities on the importance of protecting public roads, given the government’s heavy investment in road maintenance.

The operation followed several community sensitisation engagements that, according to officials, went unheeded. As a result, authorities impounded 19 ox-ploughs, which are currently held at Amuria Central Police Station.

“Over the past years, we’ve taken a cautious approach, but currently, we’ve sustained damage spanning approximately 25 to 30 kilometres across various locations within the district due to our incomplete coverage with the operation,” he noted.

To reclaim their ox-ploughs, owners must complete the specified roadworks, which will be inspected by a road overseer. A report from the inspection will form part of a clearance letter issued by the chief administrative officer (CAO) to the district police commander (DPC), with copies to the resident district commissioner (RDC), district intelligence security officer (DISO), local council V (LCV) and the LC1 of the affected area.

“You must present an area LC1 letter along with your National ID. These two items, along with the clearance, will allow you to retrieve your ox,” Opolot advised on June 7, 2026.

Moses Ibwala, the assistant RDC of Amuria, expressed concern over the trend of people cultivating right up to road reserves, which has worsened the deterioration.

Paul Eseru, the Amuria RDC, said some individuals, including children, are using ox-ploughs on roads for cultivation, further aggravating the problem.

Roads that have suffered damage include Acuna-Orungo and Aojakitoi-Morungatuny, mainly due to the pooling of ox-ploughs.

“We will seize your ox-plough and yokes if needed. We could even capture cows, but they are too heavy,” Eseru remarked.

The RDC said the government is spending heavily on road maintenance and warned that the district will no longer tolerate practices that destroy infrastructure.

Amuria district has a total road network of 1,386 kilometres.