Kakuuto Residents Urge Road Repairs to Boost Economy and Access

Residents of Kakuuto Constituency in Kyotera District are voicing strong concerns over the dilapidated state of local roads, which they argue is severely impacting economic activity. The poor road network is reportedly increasing transportation expenses and limiting access to markets, directly affecting the incomes of farmers in the region.

During the rainy season, many community roads become impassable, making it extremely difficult for farmers to get their produce to market. This often forces them to sell their harvests at significantly lower prices to middlemen or risk having them spoil.

Farmers like Peter Mubiru from Kabira Sub-county highlighted that the current road conditions are a major obstacle to improving their household earnings. “When it rains, vehicles cannot access our villages. We spend a lot of money transporting coffee and bananas on motorcycles, which reduces the profits we make from farming,” he stated.

The increased cost of transportation due to the difficult road conditions is also being passed on to consumers in the form of higher commodity prices. “The cost of transporting goods has gone up because drivers fear damaging their vehicles. Eventually, consumers pay more for commodities,” explained produce trader Joweria Nakanwagi.

Beyond agriculture, the poor roads are also impeding access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and clean water. Residents are appealing to their leaders to prioritize road rehabilitation projects, believing that improved infrastructure is key to boosting trade and enhancing livelihoods.

While acknowledging the challenges, district leaders attribute the poor road conditions to funding limitations and adverse weather. They assure that efforts are underway to secure more resources for road repairs and emphasize that better roads are crucial for supporting government wealth creation initiatives and enabling greater participation in commercial agriculture. Local leaders also note that improving infrastructure is essential for unlocking the full potential of rural productivity and boosting household incomes in Kakuuto.

This article is based on reporting from Nile Post.