By KT Reporter
Kumi municipal authorities have issued a strong warning to motorists who park on pedestrian walkways and drainage channels, saying the practice is causing damage to newly constructed road infrastructure within the municipality.
The warning follows the recent completion of a 12-kilometre urban road project, one of the best road networks in the region, constructed by Arab Contractors. Despite the availability of designated parking spaces along the newly tarmacked roads, some drivers continue to ignore them, opting instead to park on walkways and drainage tunnels.
In response, municipal authorities have intensified enforcement operations that include arrests, impounding of vehicles, and charging offenders responsible for damaging the infrastructure.
Henry Matega, the Principal Executive Engineer of Kumi Municipality, says the municipality has already recorded cases of motorists damaging expensive road installations. He explains that the ongoing enforcement drive is coupled with a sensitisation campaign aimed at encouraging residents to protect the new roads, keep the town green, and properly manage animals in the urban setting.
Matega notes that most of the damaged sections are walkways and drainage systems that are not designed to support the weight of vehicles, warning that continued misuse will shorten the lifespan of the roads.
He adds that heavy vehicles, particularly trailers, pose the greatest risk, citing an incident along Wiggins Secondary School Road where a trailer damaged a drainage channel, and the driver was apprehended and charged. He further confirms that traffic police and district security leadership have been fully engaged to support enforcement efforts, with the municipality determined to preserve the beauty and functionality of Kumi town.
Julius Okello, the Kumi Municipality Deputy Mayor, describes the situation as worrying, noting that some drivers have abandoned designated parking areas in favour of walkways built over drainage systems. He says the municipal council has resolved that anyone found vandalising the roads will be penalised and required to repair the damage caused.
Okello reveals that offenders now face a minimum fine of 200,000 shillings, following resolutions passed after the roads were officially handed over by the contractor. He urges residents to remain vigilant and report offenders to local leaders and police. To strengthen monitoring, the municipality has hired street personnel to clean the roads and watch over sections prone to abuse. Okello cites a recent case along Oumo Road where a truck destroyed a pedestrian pathway after parking illegally.
He emphasises the need for community ownership of the new roads, warning that careless transportation of heavy metallic objects and timber damages the road surface. He adds that even acts such as urinating along the roadside attract penalties, urging residents to use the roads responsibly.
Kumi Municipality has significantly benefited from the construction of the 12-kilometre bonus road under the wider Tirinyi-Pallisa-Kumi road project. The 274-billion-shilling project was executed by Arab Contractors and funded through a loan from the African Development Bank, facilitated by the Government of Uganda through the Uganda National Roads Authority.
Municipal leaders say sustained enforcement and public cooperation will be critical to protecting the infrastructure for long-term public use.
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