A group of residents in Mbale are angry about the continued neglect of open manholes in their town center.
Led by the former Mbale Municipal Speaker, Davis Mwaule, the group this week wrote to the police seeking permission to hold a peaceful demonstration against the delayed action in regard to the manholes. The residents said they are particularly concerned about several open manholes located at the Mbale Clock Tower junction and the danger the manholes pose to traffic in the area.
The planned demonstration was however foiled by the police, with the Mbale District Commander, Samson Lubega, declining the request to hold a protest march through the streets of Mbale.
It is not clear who exactly, within the municipality, is responsible for the repair of the manholes. The LC3 chairperson of Industrial Division in Mbale, Masa Musa, accuses the Municipal Engineer, James Wadeya, of negligence.
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The Mayor of Mbale, Richard Masaba, does not apportion blame, but confirms that the municipal council has procured slabs to cover up the manholes at the Clock Tower. He says repairs will begin soon.
