In a significant effort to boost the nation’s road infrastructure, the Ugandan government has approved additional funding through the Land Fund for the maintenance of roads in every district.

Under the fiscal year 2023/2024 budget, each district is set to receive an additional 1 billion UGX for road maintenance, supplementing the funds already allocated through the Road Fund.

The primary goal of this move is to ensure that all districts have adequate resources for the maintenance and enhancement of their road networks.

However, there are early indications of challenges in the allocation of these funds. Reports have surfaced about some district officials choosing to allocate resources for new road construction instead of prioritizing the maintenance of existing ones. This trend has raised concerns within the government.

Minister Baryomunsi clarified the intended purpose of the allocated funds, explaining that “That money is meant to facilitate routine maintenance of existing murram roads within the district.” He emphasized that this allocation is separate from the funds provided through the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), as local government roads fall under the jurisdiction of the respective local governments.

The government suspects that some officials may be swayed by corruption in their decisions to allocate funds for new road construction rather than the maintenance of existing roads. Previously, the government had already allocated over 50 billion UGX to local governments for road maintenance.

The decision to allocate additional funds through the Land Fund underscores the government’s commitment to improving and preserving Uganda’s road infrastructure.

It is anticipated that these resources will lead to substantial improvements in the condition of roads across the country’s districts, ultimately benefiting local communities and economic activities.

However, strict oversight and adherence to the intended purpose of these funds will be essential to ensure their effective utilization.