Roads to get better in next two years - M7

By Fortunate Ahimbisibwe
and Luke Kagiri in Mityana

THE road network will be improved in the next two years, President Yoweri Museveni said yesterday.

The Government, he added, had launched a national programme to repair and reconstruct roads.

Museveni said good roads can be an engine of development and that sh1,000b had been set aside for this.

“Most roads are in bad condition because we have been relying on donors,” Museveni stated. “The good news is that this trend has ended and we have our own money to work on our roads.”

Museveni made the remarks at the consecration of the Mityana Diocese bishop, Dr. Steven Samuel Kazimba, at St. Andrew’s Cathedral.

He also handed over a new Toyota Land Cruiser to the new bishop.

Work on the Kyengera-Mityana road, Museveni said, would start in April next year. “I know that my people have suffered because of this bad road but the European Union had promised to repair this road, which they did not do and that is why we delayed.”

Museveni’s comments followed complaints from the preacher about bad roads.

In a sermon, former archbishop Livingstone Nkoyooyo said the Government had “strayed” from its responsibility of repairing roads. This, he said, had led to fatal accidents. “The only thing we hear is that the car which caused the accident has been taken to the Police,” Nkoyooyo said.

“Why wait for the car to cause the accident, then take it to Police?”

The consecration was presided over by Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi.

Outgoing bishop Danstan Bukenya retired after serving for seven years only because the Christians rejected him. His successor, Kazimba, has also received some resistance.

Orombi cautioned the Christians on rebelling against church leaders.

“We have all approved the installation of Bishop Kazimba. If you start rebelling against him, you will be shooting yourselves in the foot.”

Orombi said there was need to restore integrity and transparency in the country. “People have become greedy.”

Present were 12 bishops, ministers Ruth Nankabirwa, Semakula Kiwanuka, MPs Kadu Mukasa, Sylvia Senabulya, Kasole Bwerere, Peter Nyombi and Vincent Nyanzi and Buganda Kingdom officials.

Addressing the President, Katikkiro John Baptist Walusimbi remarked: “I have heard people reminding you of their issues. I hope you have not forgotten my issues.”

The kingdom and the Government are negotiating over land and the return of Buganda properties.

Museveni declined to comment, saying the ceremony was religious.