Boda boda cyclists reap from bad roads

Residents of Luwero who use Kikyusa - Kasana road have expressed displeasure over failure by government officials to repair the only road that connects the two towns.

The residents say the road is in horrible state and the rains have made it impassable.

Motorists are now forced to find alternative routes to their destination or they have to park their vehicles either in Kasana or in Kikyusa and use boda bodas.

However, the boda boda cyclists are reaping from the bad roads. They have raised the fares from sh3,000 to sh6,000 on the shortest distance covered on the road. Geoffrey Walugembe, a cyclist says they were forced to increase the prices because they spend several hours maneuvoering through potholes and slippery roads.

"Many bridges have broken down and when they are repaired, they last only a few months. They brought soil and poured it on the road, now even a simple drizzle the road becomes too slippery. This is not fair, especially to the people of Luwero were NRM fought," he stresses.

Luwero district chairman, Ronald Ndawula, says the number of broken bridges and roads is immense, yet the district has not capacity to work on them.

"All UNRA roads in the district are grappling. I have written to them several times and even walked in their offices over roads, but they seem not bothered. We are hoping that maybe one day they will rescue the people of Luwero," says Ndawula

He adds that the bad state of roads has hindered social and economic activities. "Vehicles have to park in Kasana then people use boda bodas Kikyusa, fresh foodstuffs are rotting because farmers cannot access markets," Ndawula says.

He says the 15km from Kikyusa to Katikamu is also very bad and several times the taxi drivers have threatened to strike. He also noted that even the road from Luwero to Kikyusa is also in bad state.