Rubanda road helping locals access markets

AGRIBUSINESS |INFRASTRUCTURE |

Limited access to market is one of the factors hindering commercial potato farming in South Western Uganda where about 60% of the country's potato are grown.

Kabale, Rubanda, Rukiga, Kanungu and Kisoro districts located in the hilly region of Uganda's south western region are the major potato growing areas.

Much of the potato produced is consumed locally in the district due to poor road network and to access bigger markets like Kampala.

In some areas like Kabuzigye village, in Bubale Sub County in Rubanda district, farmers have been selling their produce at giveaway price due lack of access to market.

However, life is changing following the rehabilitation of Ihanga-Kyamabare-Butobero-Nyaruhanga road.

The 18kilometer road connects farmers to four markets, but also enables traders from Kampala to reach the farm.

Allen Katwesigye, a farmer from Kibuzegye Satelite Farming Group in Rubanda district notes that the road has saved them from carrying produce on the head.

"Taking our produce to Ihanga was a challenge. We would carry it on the head since no vehicles or motorcycles could easily come here," Katwesigye says.

She explains that ever since the road was constructed, traders from Kampala and Kabale town find them in their homes.

"We are one of the leading potatoes growing areas in the district, not having a good road was a disservice to us,' Katwesigye says.

Micheal Wednesday, the Kibuzegye LC1 Chairperson confesses that the price of their potato has increased.

"We used to sell sack at sh40,000 but now we sell it between sh120,000 and sh130,000.  We are offered good prices because our place is now accessible and we have very good produce," Wednesday says.

Denis Twesigomwe, the Rubanda District Engineer notes the road cost sh1.1b.

"Because the road is accessible, the price of potatoes and other agricultural produce has increased. It was very hard for people to reach the main road but now it is easy," Twesigomwe says.

Deus Atuhaire, a resident of Bubale notes that the road has improved the other social amenities like health and education.

"Expectant mothers are no longer suffering to go to Kabale Regional Referral hospital where they are sometimes referred to with complications," Atuhaire says.

He says the road was impassable and during rainy days, vehicles which attempted to use it would spend days on the way stuck.

"Boda Boda would charge us money that would buy the produce that you are supposed to sell," Atuhaire says.

Hellen Ninsiima, the Regional Coordinator at IFDC, says the road helped farmers access up to four markets; Ihanga, Karugarama, Rubanda Town Council, and Kagunga market.

"Farmers are now getting good prices for their produce and are able to transform their farms and families," Ninsiima says.

Two roads have been constructed in Kanungu and one in Rubanda.

David Slane, the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), Chief of Party noted the road is part of 73kilometers of roads rehabilitated under the Resilient Efficient Agribusiness Chains in Uganda (REACH-Uganda) project.

With support from the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherland, the REACH project has been implemented from 2016 to 2020.

At least 20 districts in South West and Eastern Uganda with a goal of improving market systems.

According to Slane, REACH-Uganda is project with an aim to improve farmers' market engagement, strengthen household resilience in rice and potato value chains.

Slane notes that the project has increased availability of agriculture support services for 40,000 farmers and businesses in the rice and potato value chains.