local politics 9 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Iganga Residents Demand Reopening of Allegedly Sold Public Road
Residents of Iganga Municipality are locked in a battle to regain access to Munyegera Road, which they claim was illegally sold by former local leaders, leading to its blockage and disrepair for over eight years. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/iganga-residents-fight-for-access-after-public-road-is-blocked-5589044
Residents of Mutukula Cell in Iganga Municipality are protesting the alleged illegal sale and subsequent closure of Munyegera Road, a public thoroughfare established in 1992. The road, which provides a vital link between the Mbale main road and Kaliro road, has been inaccessible for more than eight years, according to local inhabitants.
During a monitoring visit by Maj Martha Asiimwe, Head of the Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) Secretariat and Anti-Corruption Unit in the Office of the President, residents voiced their concerns. They explained that the road’s lack of maintenance stems from ongoing disputes over its ownership and use. One resident, Had Mugole, recounted being arrested and jailed for opposing the road’s closure, highlighting the lengths to which some have gone to preserve public access.
Hussein Abudallah, the Mutukula Cell chairperson, expressed dismay that land voluntarily surrendered for public use could be sold by leaders. He welcomed the intervention of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, emphasizing the need for authorities to investigate the alleged sale and its legality.
In response, Maj Asiimwe directed the Iganga Municipality to definitively establish the ownership and legal status of Munyegera Road. She instructed the municipal town clerk and engineer to produce a survey report detailing the road’s boundaries, ownership, and current condition. Maj Asiimwe stressed the importance of protecting public infrastructure and warned against decisions that disrupt community access and service delivery.
Commissioner for RDCs in the Busoga region, Col Dhamuzungu Geoffrey Oguli, also urged local leaders to actively question government project details to ensure transparency in public fund utilization. The intervention is part of a broader effort to enhance the monitoring of government programs and address public complaints in Iganga.