By KT Reporter
Residents of Lotisan Sub-county in Moroto District are struggling to access necessities due to the poor state of roads, which have been severely damaged by ongoing rains. The most affected route is the Nawoi–Lokisilei road, which connects to the sub-county headquarters, the livestock market, and the local health facility. The road is in a deplorable condition and lacks bridges, making it difficult for residents and traders to access essential services.
Emmanuel Loru, a resident of Kidepo Trading Centre, told our reporter that the poor state of the roads has made it nearly impossible for them to access vital social services. Loru said that the major link roads in the sub-county are muddy and slippery, making it a nightmare for motorists. He urged political leaders seeking votes to prioritize addressing the poor road network that has cut off communities from essential services.
James Okello, a boda boda operator, shared similar frustrations, noting that the situation worsens whenever it rains heavily, making it extremely difficult to navigate the roads. Okello explained that due to the bad road conditions, they now charge UGX 5,000 for distances that previously cost UGX 3,000. He said the business community has also been affected since they cannot transport goods to the market.
“It is not the first time that we are raising the issue of poor roads. The district leadership is aware of this problem but they do not want to act,” Okello lamented. John Robert Adupa, the LC3 Chairperson of Lotisan Sub-county, said that the rains have destroyed nearly all roads in the area, cutting off access even to administrative offices.
Adupa revealed that last year alone, six expectant mothers lost their lives due to the poor road network, which made it impossible for ambulances to reach them in time. He recalled that on Sunday, another expectant mother narrowly survived after the motorcycle transporting her got stuck on the muddy road.
Adupa said the woman was eventually rescued after the District Health Officer dispatched an ambulance, which struggled through the impassable road until it reached the referral hospital. He added that the persistent washing away of roads by heavy rains has crippled economic activity and prevented residents from accessing essential services.
Adupa explained that most roads in the area lack bridges, yet the terrain has many streams with fast-flowing water from nearby mountains. He further noted that although the district recently attempted to work on the road leading to Atedeoi Primary School, only murram was dumped and left in heaps without being leveled or compacted. Adupa also revealed that the road leading to Kobebe Dam has been abandoned and overgrown with shrubs since it is no longer in use.
Samuel Lokong, the Moroto Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO), acknowledged the challenge of the poor road network and said the district plans to restore the affected routes. However, Lokong cited financial constraints as a major setback to repairing the damaged roads across the district.
He said the district intends to rehabilitate the main road to Lotisan Sub-county this year as soon as road funds are released. He added that the torrential rains pounding the region have caused massive destruction to district feeder roads. Lokong noted that road works are expensive but the district is doing all it can to restore major routes and boost the local economy. He reiterated that they have just entered a new financial year, and road maintenance funds have not yet been disbursed.
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