Rubanda District Authorities Launch Rehabilitation of 13.4 Km Kashaasha-Ihunga Road
Rubanda District LC.5 Chairman Ampeire Stephen Ksayaba Addresses Locals at the Launch of Kashaasha-Ihunga Road Project
It was a moment of joy and relief today as Rubanda District Authorities launched the long awaited rehabilitation of Kashaasha-Ihunga road.
The project, valued at shs.1.6 billion, is a collaborative effort between the International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC) and Rubanda District Local Government, connecting Ikumba Subcounty and Nshanjare Town Council.
While speaking at the launching ceremony in Ihunga, Nshanjare Town Council, the Rubanda District LC.5 Chairperson Ampeire Stephen Kasyaba said that rehabilitation of the road was long overdue because for years, it had been one of the recurring demands from the locals, despite the annual maintenance done by the District to keep it in shape.
Kasyaba revealed that the Uganda Wild Life Authority –UWA had promised to provide funding for maintaining the road once it is finished.
He also noted that the Bukimbiri County Mp Eddie Kwizera had assured him that the Ministry of works would extend the road to the neighboring Lubuguri Town Council in Kisoro District, when the ongoing construction reaches Nshanjare Town Council.
Kasyaba expressed gratitude to IFDC and their main funder, the Dutch Government, for enhancing mobility and accessibility in remote areas.
“The District is going to contribute an initial shs.300 million to this project, but as you can see, we wouldn’t have gone far without support from the IFDC,” Kasyaba said.
Ikumba LC.5 Councilor Kenneth Muhindi apologized for previously opposing Chairman Kasyaba due to perceived neglect of the road and said he had “repented” pledgeding maximum support to the Chairman moving forward.
Rubanda District Speaker of Council Mary Waguma acknowledged Muhindi’s past disruptions, now welcoming the project as a “moment of relief.”
“I want to thank you Governor Kasyaba and your cabinet for considering this road, and my Council for approving the project because it’s a moment of relief” Ms. Waguma said.
The Rubanda District Engineer John Habimana said that the road project would take three months, with a maximum of six months in case of challenges such as rainfall. He added that the road width would be 5-8 meters, depending on the settlements along the way.
“We wouldn’t want to cause a lot of damage on people’s property since this project doesn’t include compensation.” He said.
The Engineer further explained that the construction works would start from Kitahurira Trading Centre in Nyamabare parish of Ikumba Subcounty, and the ending point would be in Nshanajare Town Council, with a number of culverts installed on the way.