Trucks stranded in Zombo as poor roads halt trade to DRC
Several trucks transporting goods to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are stranded in Zombo district, northern Uganda, unable to proceed due to the poor condition of the road leading to the Padea one-stop border point.
The situation has cut off vital supplies to the war-torn Ituri and Tshopo provinces. The seasonal torrential rains have exacerbated the problem, turning sections of the national road in Abanga and Nyapea sub-counties into a muddy, slippery mess.
Heavy trucks and motorists are getting stuck, bringing movement to a standstill. Francis Bolingo, Athuma sub-county LC V councillor, blamed the government for what he called “neglect,” pointing out that a feasibility study to tarmac the road was completed in 2015, but no action has been taken.
He said the impassable road is also affecting district staff, local businesses, patients, and schoolchildren. Former Okoro County MP Eng Simon D’Ujanga revealed that the ministry of Finance has diverted funds meant for the 119km Nebbi–Goli–Paidha–Zombo–Zeu–Warr–Vurra road on three separate occasions.
D’Ujanga said he and other leaders confronted the minister of Finance in the presence of President Yoweri Museveni, and the ministry officials admitted to diverting the money.
Sarah Adong, an aspirant for the Zombo District Woman MP position, appealed to the government to urgently tarmac the road to boost agricultural production and trade in the region.
The road has been the subject of multiple pledges from President Museveni. In 2022, he promised to put a first-class murram on the road. In 2024, he promised to tarmac it, and he repeated the pledge earlier this year in Yumbe district, though without giving a specific timeframe.
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