By
Emma Bwayo
Concerns are mounting in Namisindwa District after a monitoring visit on Wednesday morning by Assistant Resident District Commissioner (ARDC) Bosco Nabogge revealed disturbing findings about the Sh1.1 billion Bumbo–Bumwali–Matua road rehabilitation project under the Oil Seed Project.
The 9.8km road, which was officially launched in February 2025 with a six-month completion timeline, has reached only 10% progress as of early May. Locals and officials are now raising serious questions about value for money and project management.
During the site visit, Nabogge found casual workers manually fixing broken culverts around the Bumwalye Bridge without proper equipment. Workers disclosed that they had been instructed by the project engineer to crush stones with their hands instead of using machinery — despite the project’s billion-shilling funding.
“With Sh1.1 billion allocated, there’s no excuse for lack of machinery. There’s no visible value for money. If these practices continue, we risk wasting taxpayers’ funds,” Nabogge said, urging engineers to install standard culverts instead of the substandard “manhood” culverts currently being used.
Nabogge also noted that several casual workers complained of not being paid after completing their tasks, further slowing the project’s progress.
Wamundu John, a resident of Bumwalye, expressed fear that the project might remain incomplete even after the six-month timeline lapses.
Masayi Peter, Chairperson of the Works and Technical Committee of the Council, voiced deep frustration over persistent shoddy work on multiple roads. He attributed the failures to the concentration of responsibilities among a few individuals, notably the Secretary for Works, who is also the Committee Chairperson and District Chairman, Mr. Jackson Wakweika.
Peter pointed out that although road funding had increased from Sh400 million in the previous term to Sh1.4 billion this term, the quality of work on the ground did not reflect the financial boost.
“We keep approving budgets with high hopes, but what we see is poor work. When we seek accountability, it’s always misinterpreted,” he said.
In response, District Chairman Jackson Wakweika briefly acknowledged that heavy rains had delayed the project’s progress but declined to offer further details.
