Several trucks carrying goods to the Democratic Republic of Congo are stuck in Zombo district, northern Uganda, after heavy rains rendered the road to the Padea one-stop border point impassable.
The poor road condition has cut off vital supplies to the conflict-hit Ituri and Tshopo provinces in eastern DRC. Sections of the national road in Abanga and Nyapea sub-counties have turned into a muddy, slippery stretch, trapping both heavy trucks and smaller vehicles.
Local leaders are blaming government inaction. Zombo district councillor Francis Bolingo said the situation is affecting patients, schoolchildren, businesses, and district staff. He criticized the government for neglect, noting that a feasibility study for tarmacking the road was completed as far back as 2015.
▶️ : Francis Bolingo speaks about the roads
Former Okoro County MP, Eng. Simon D’Ujanga, accused the Ministry of Finance of repeatedly diverting funds meant for the 119km Nebbi–Goli–Paidha–Zombo–Zeu–Warr–Vurra road. He said even in a meeting with President Museveni, finance officials admitted to misdirecting the money.
▶️ : Simon D’Ujanga speaks about the diverted money
Meanwhile, Zombo Woman MP aspirant Sarah Adong appealed to government to urgently tarmac the road, stressing that poor infrastructure is crippling agricultural production and cross-border trade.
▶️ : Sarah Adong on challenges
President Museveni has made several pledges to improve the road, promising a first-class murram in 2022 and later vowing to tarmac it in 2024. He repeated the pledge again this year in Yumbe, but without giving any timelines.
As the trucks remain stranded, residents and traders fear the economic impact could worsen if urgent action is not taken
