The State minister for works, John Byabagambi, is in Bududa and Manafwa districts to ascertain the state of the roads.
The main roads from Mbale through Manafwa to Lwakhakha and Bumbo and from Mbale through Manafwa to Bududa and Bulucheke are riddled with potholes, mud and without water channels.
But the ministers visit stems from a strike recently, which was staged by Taxi drivers and operators protesting against the poor state of the roads.
On September 28th, taxi drivers in the two districts grounded their vehicles and took to the streets to protest against the appalling state of roads. They planted trees, banana stems and cassava plants at all impassable road points in Bukigai, Bududa corner, Bushika and shikolo.
Rashid Shimali, The Bududa driver's association chairperson, said several drivers have run out of business because of the constant breakdowns of their vehicles. He explained that on average, most passenger taxi drivers had to part with 100,000 shillings per week for repairs.
Shimali noted that the Motoring transport business is increasingly becoming a burden to the vehicle owners who ply along the bad roads.
On Monday, minister Byabagambi was in the district for an on spot assessment of the roads in the two districts.
The minister was visibly appalled by the poor state of the roads most of which have been rendered impassable by years of neglect. He admitted that there was an urgent need to upgrade them.
Minister Byabagambi, told members of the Bududa driver Association, that road works along the Bunabubi-Bunapolo road, will be launched by the Uganda National roads authority.
The minister noted that government remains committed to its policy of having all roads leading to the districts headquarters tarmacked.
He however noted that this policy has been deluded by financial constraints.
Byabagambi also said that the tarmacking of Bumbobi-Lwakhakha road, Mbale-Tororo-Soroti high way is in advanced stages.
