Petition to Fast track the Upgrade of Kabale-Lake Bunyonyi, Kisoro Mgahinga Road
Petition to Fast track the Upgrade of Kabale-Lake Bunyonyi, Kisoro Mgahinga Road
The Issue
Subject: Petition to Fast track the Upgrade of Kabale-Lake Bunyonyi, Kisoro Mgahinga Road and other Tourism Roads.
We, the undersigned, respectfully petition the Government of Uganda to oversee Uganda National Road Authority (UNRA)’s fast tracking of the upgrade of tourism roads particularly: The Kabale-Lake Bunyonyi
and Kisoro Mgahinga Roads.
Background:
• In 2018, the Ugandan government committed to upgrading these roads, and the African Development Bank (ADB) agreed to fund the project. Procurement notices were published in December 2020, and UNRA invited bids in July 2021. M/s Samcrete Egypt Engineers and Contractors were awarded the contract, which was signed on September 19, 2023. Civil works were expected to start by March 2024 but have been delayed. Another contract with the African Development Bank (ADB) and UNRA Signed on June 10, 2022, provided in addition to these roads
the following:
• Supply 2 merchant vessels (ferries) at Kako landing site on Lake Bunyonyi, 2 rescue boats, a ferry operations patrol boat, a cesspool emptying truck (15,000 liters), and 5 double cabin pickups.
• Improve transportation and emergency response on Lake Bunyonyi.
• Despite the signing of these two contracts, and even land compensation by UNRA, there has been no update on the progress and these roads are in a dilapidated state. Tourism businesses and locals continue to suffer from dusty roads in the hot season. These will soon be more dangerous and slippery with expected rains coming soon.
We therefore petition the Government of Uganda to:
1. Provide us with timely and accurate information as to the progress of the roads and the projects to help the communities, business and other stakeholders plan better.
2. Fast track the project progress so we can revamp the limping businesses and forestall the impending catastrophic accidents, crime due to unemployment and heavy pollution from dust among other issues.
3. Convene stakeholders’ meetings to reassure the stakeholders of the quality of work to be done and the opportunities the projects present.
4. Provide a definite start time for the civil works, considering that 90% of the land acquisition and beneficiary payments were completed by March 30, 2024.
5. Reassure us of measures in place to protect locals and guests from visual, air, and water pollution during the construction process.
6. Outline alternative routes to ensure businesses and households remain accessible during construction.
We, the undersigned, call upon the Government of Uganda to urgently address our concerns and provide the necessary updates to ensure transparency and accountability in the development of these crucial
infrastructure projects. Attached is photographic evidence of the catastrophes that occur daily on the roads and Lake Bunyonyi due to poor infrastructure.
Signatures with Name, Title, Organization, Contact Information:
292
The Issue
Subject: Petition to Fast track the Upgrade of Kabale-Lake Bunyonyi, Kisoro Mgahinga Road and other Tourism Roads.
We, the undersigned, respectfully petition the Government of Uganda to oversee Uganda National Road Authority (UNRA)’s fast tracking of the upgrade of tourism roads particularly: The Kabale-Lake Bunyonyi
and Kisoro Mgahinga Roads.
Background:
• In 2018, the Ugandan government committed to upgrading these roads, and the African Development Bank (ADB) agreed to fund the project. Procurement notices were published in December 2020, and UNRA invited bids in July 2021. M/s Samcrete Egypt Engineers and Contractors were awarded the contract, which was signed on September 19, 2023. Civil works were expected to start by March 2024 but have been delayed. Another contract with the African Development Bank (ADB) and UNRA Signed on June 10, 2022, provided in addition to these roads
the following:
• Supply 2 merchant vessels (ferries) at Kako landing site on Lake Bunyonyi, 2 rescue boats, a ferry operations patrol boat, a cesspool emptying truck (15,000 liters), and 5 double cabin pickups.
• Improve transportation and emergency response on Lake Bunyonyi.
• Despite the signing of these two contracts, and even land compensation by UNRA, there has been no update on the progress and these roads are in a dilapidated state. Tourism businesses and locals continue to suffer from dusty roads in the hot season. These will soon be more dangerous and slippery with expected rains coming soon.
We therefore petition the Government of Uganda to:
1. Provide us with timely and accurate information as to the progress of the roads and the projects to help the communities, business and other stakeholders plan better.
2. Fast track the project progress so we can revamp the limping businesses and forestall the impending catastrophic accidents, crime due to unemployment and heavy pollution from dust among other issues.
3. Convene stakeholders’ meetings to reassure the stakeholders of the quality of work to be done and the opportunities the projects present.
4. Provide a definite start time for the civil works, considering that 90% of the land acquisition and beneficiary payments were completed by March 30, 2024.
5. Reassure us of measures in place to protect locals and guests from visual, air, and water pollution during the construction process.
6. Outline alternative routes to ensure businesses and households remain accessible during construction.
We, the undersigned, call upon the Government of Uganda to urgently address our concerns and provide the necessary updates to ensure transparency and accountability in the development of these crucial
infrastructure projects. Attached is photographic evidence of the catastrophes that occur daily on the roads and Lake Bunyonyi due to poor infrastructure.
Signatures with Name, Title, Organization, Contact Information:
292
Petition created on 27 July 2024