Makeshift roadblock annoys Mbale residents

A makeshift roadblock without a stop signage is irking tax payers in the newly established Mbale city in Eastern Uganda.

Situated in Nkoma Ward adjacent to Islamic University in Uganda-IUIU main campus along Mbale-Soroti highway, the contested roadblock is made up of firewood, old school benches, abandoned plastic chairs and stones.

Others are an old mat and a dilapidated wooden table.

"Imagine this ancient checkpoint in the middle of a new city, Mbale!" Oscar Wanale a resident wondered.

Sylvia Namutosi, a trader at Nkoma told New Vision that sometimes the officers use banana leaves, clubs or logs for erecting the contested roadblock.

Namutosi says this is a disgrace to the entire Mbale city.

One of the leading Mbale city mayoral contestant Cassim Namugali Wamatabu said the technical and political leadership in Mbale city is to blame for not guiding the security personnel on what and not to use within the city.

"Such a dangerous and disgraceful roadblock in the middle of a growing city can discourage both tourists and investors hence undermining local revenue potential," the concerned Namugali told our reporter.

Namugali, a renowned businessman reasons that poor leadership and lack of exposure among leaders in Mbale might continue to betray expectations of people and the new city's potential.

The former KBC Bank manager is urging the city residents to ensure that they elect people who will be pro-people as well as being mindful of Mbale City's outlook.   

Namugali added his voice to the concerns of people in regards to the roadblock point during his official candidature declaration to run for Mbale city mayoral seat.

Mbale traffic police department distanced themselves from the Nkoma roadblock stressing that theirs which is located after the contested one is professional enough.

"That roadblock is not a traffic police checkpoint, it's not under our directorate but I think the army and general duty police use it for implementing COVID-19 directives," one of the senior traffic officers said anonymously.

Nesterio Kizza Officer in Charge Operations in Mbale regretfully told New Vision that the force would soon requisition for better barricades so as to be used at the said point.

"We don't have enough barricades yet since the coronavirus outbreak we have had to mount several impromptu roadblocks and checkpoints to ensure that no directives are adhered to," Kizza said.

According to the traffic law, a roadblock or checkpoint must be erected using tyre cutter barricades and must or should have a STOP sign which is visible to all road users.

Meanwhile, Rogers Taitika, Elgon Zone police spokesman is concerned that defiant motorists have continued to target traffic officers with stage managed accidents.

Taitika says that at least 10 security personnel have been hospitalized within Elgon Sub region after being "intentionally" knocked down by defiant motorists especially boda boda operators and taxi drivers.

"Those who refuse to stop at the checkpoints have developed a habit of directing their motor mobile machines towards our officers who are now hospitalized and at risk of permanent ability," Taitika said in an exclusive interview.

Six of the injured police officers are admitted at Mbale regional referral hospital while the rest are hospitalized at Kumi Orthopedic hospital.