Nakaseke residents get sh3.5b community roads boost

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Nakaseke district residents are reaping the benefits of improved community access roads, with the recent commissioning of two major roads under the Local Economic Growth Support (LEGS) Project worth shillings 3.8 billion boost.

The shillings 1.8 billion Gayaza–Kalungu–Mityomere Road (27km) and shillings two billion Gomero–Migani–Kagongi–Buwana Road (33.3km) commissioned on February 20, 2026, are expected to boost trade and commerce in the area.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, local government permanent secretary Ben Kumumanya said the roads would reduce transport costs, attract new businesses, and expand public transport access.

Kumumanya noted that over 60km of roads delivered under the project had already had a positive impact on the local economy, with milk prices rising from shillings 300 to 800 per litre.

District chairperson Ignatious Koomu said they have strengthened trade and raised local revenue from shillings 2.5 billion to three billion in the current financial year.

However, they are also urging the Government to increase the road budget for the 2026/2027 fiscal year, citing the need for more infrastructure development.

“The district currently has a standard road unit consisting of a grader, wheel loader, roller, water bowser, and two dump trucks, but it's not enough for a district of Nakaseke's size. When it rains, the roads become impassable because there is insufficient marram and drainage culverts are lacking in many roads,” he said.

"To maintain these roads is expensive with a meagre budget from the central government, and we need the road maintenance grant to be increased because we do not even have a tarmac road in our district," Koomu said.

The Ministry Of Local Government Permanent Secretary, Ben Kumumanya.

“To be given shillings one billion uniform money for roads is unfair for our district. I am calling upon the central government to take over all roads exceeding 60km distance for proper maintenance because the district is squeezed,” he added.

Call for more funding

Speaking at the launch at Mityomere cell, Mijumwa parish, Wakyato sub-county, district engineer Stephen Ssekayingo challenged the Government to increase the road maintenance grant to at least shillings two billion provided in the budget. 

“Currently, we only have grader, wheel loader, roller, water browser and two dump trucks. We ask the government to provide us with an additional excavator, which can help us raise the level of our road network in low-lying areas. Shillings one billion provided in the budget is not enough to maintain existing roads,” Ssekayingo said.

We have a very big district, but we are allocated sh1b like other districts, which are even smaller than our size, and the Government should look into our matter, he added.

“The district's roads are split between sub-counties (800km), the Ministry of Works and Transport (144km), and urban community access roads (144km). I urge the government to take over maintenance of roads exceeding 60km, which would help alleviate the burden on the district,” Ssekayingo suggested.

‎Since 2019, LEGS has invested sh13.5b in Nakaseke, supporting key infrastructure such as the Kiwoko Maize Milling and Processing Facility, Kikwata Kimika Coffee Processing Plant, roadside market sheds, a solar mini-grid in Nakalango, biogas demonstration centres, and the Lugogo Swamp Water Pipeline.

Strengthened trade

Deputy chief administrative officer Sunday Eric reported that improved connectivity has strengthened trade and raised local revenue from sh2.5b to sh3b in the current financial year, with the benefiting corridor contributing over 60 percent of collections. 

“We welcome the development and commend residents who allowed the road to pass through their land have greatly benefited. New connection has eased movement between Goma and neighbouring sub-counties, transforming livelihoods,” Eric added. 

‎Eric urged local leaders and communities to safeguard the investments, maintain the roads, and remain focused on advancing socio-economic transformation.

The LEGS project, a Government of Uganda initiative supported by the Lives and Livelihoods Fund and the Islamic Development Bank invested sh13.5b in Nakaseke since 2019. The project has supported key infrastructure such as the Kiwoko Maize Milling and Processing Facility, Kikwata Kimika Coffee Processing Plant, and roadside market sheds.

LEG has been implemented in Katakwi, Kumi, Kibuku, Alebtong, Kabarole, Ntoroko and Bundibugyo districts.