Jinja City authorities have resolved to convert one of their grounded trucks into a water bowser to address delays in road maintenance works caused by the lack of suitable equipment. The decision was revealed by Jinja City Council Works Committee Chairperson Ivan Kameze, who said the city had acquired a grader and a road roller but lacked a water bowser needed to support road works.
Kameze said the absence of a water bowser had slowed work on feeder roads, which require watering before grading and other maintenance activities can be carried out effectively. He said the expansion of Jinja City following the integration of Budondo, Bugembe and Mafubira with the former Jinja Municipal Council had significantly increased the road network, with about 80 percent of the roads remaining unpaved.
According to Kameze, the unpaved roads require routine maintenance, but dust has been affecting the technical team’s ability to deliver quality work. Jinja City Mayor Afiz Nagaya said the decision to redesign the truck followed consultations with experts in specialised motor vehicle modification and will cost about Shs60 million.
Nagaya said the conversion will save taxpayers more than Shs100 million compared to purchasing a new water bowser, whose cost is estimated at between Shs200 million and Shs250 million. He said the water bowser would also help respond to persistent demands from residents for improved road infrastructure.
The plan has been welcomed by residents, particularly those in areas that depend on feeder roads to transport agricultural produce. Janet Naisikwe, a resident of Budondo Ward, said the area is an agricultural hub, but poor roads have made it difficult for farmers to transport their produce to markets on time.
She expressed optimism that the completion of the city’s road equipment unit would enable authorities to work on feeder roads linking farmers to nearby markets and improve their incomes. Another resident, Caroline Namukobe, urged the city leadership to prepare a clear timetable for road works to ensure that all roads are attended to within agreed periods.
Namukobe also called for proper management of the road equipment, saying this would help keep the city’s increasingly busy roads in good condition throughout the year-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
