Critical oil road contractor decries vandalism of road signs

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KIKUUBE

A contractor constructing several critical oil roads in Kikuube district has raised a red flag over the theft of road signs on the newly built Hohwa-Nyairongo-Kyarushesha-Butole road.

The China Railway Seventh Group (CRSG), which the Government contracted to tarmac the 25km Hohwa-Nyairongo-Kyarushesha-Butole road, Kabaale-Kizirabfumbi road (25km) and the 47km Masindi-Biiso Road at sh500b, says it is currently at 90.5% to complete the project.

Group spokesperson Ambrose Atwine says some criminals have already stolen the road signs, which are essential safety features for road users, that they installed on the road.

According to Atwine, the Kabaale-Kiziranfumbi road is the most affected, and the thugs vandalise the road signs to sell them to scrap dealers. This act, the contractor says, is causing financial loss because they will be required to replace them since the vandalism happened before handing over the project to the Government.

He called on the local leaders in the area to sensitise the local communities to understand and recognise the importance of the road signposts.

"We are concerned that almost all the road signs we installed along Kabaale-Kiziranfumbi have been stolen; there is a need for people to understand why these road signs are installed on the road,” he said.

Harriet Kyomuhendo, the councillor for Kasta parish in Kabwoya sub-county, said the community has been sensitised against the vice in vain. She noted that the theft of road signage is dangerous for road users as it results in accidents.

She demanded Police intervene, investigate and arrest the suspects behind this act to ensure the safety of road users.

"These people trained us on how to use the road and the importance of these road signs, but because of the behaviour of some people, they go on to vandalise these road signs", she said.  

The concerns were raised on Sunday, May 25, 2025, during the Dragon Boat Festival at the CRSG camp at Hohwa village, Kabwoya sub-county in Kikuube district. The Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday that occurs on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese calendar, which corresponds to late May or early June in the Gregorian calendar.

Chen Hai, the CRSG Project Administrator and his staff engaging the learners in Chinese cultural activities. (Photo by Peter Abaanabasazi)

CRSG Project Administrator, Chen Hai, said that during the celebrations, they invited learners from Golden Ange Nursery and Primary School, and they shared with them Chinese culture.

He noted that Chinese Cultural activities, handicraft with science, preparing Chinese food, tag of war and wrestling are some of the activities they engaged in with the learners.

He added that they also engaged and shared with the learners road safety tips and sensitised them on how to use the roads.

Metal and aluminium road sign posts are targeted by thugs who sell them to welding and fabrication workshops, tin smiths, as well as scrap metal dealers.

In 2016, UNRA mooted a move to replace the attractive metals with concrete, considered less attractive to thieves but this has never been implemented.