The Ministry of Works and Transport is in need of Shs66Bn for maintenance of the various road equipment purchased by Government recently.
However, only Shs23Bn has been availed in the FY 2025/26 budget, thus leaving a funding gap of Shs43Bn.
The details are contained in the report for the 2025/26 Ministerial Policy Statement for the Ministry of Works and Transport that was presented before Parliament recently by Tony Awany, Vice Chairperson, Physical Infrastructure Committee.
“Routine road equipment maintenance and corrective road equipment maintenance outputs are inadequately financed given the gravity of the status ofroad equipment in most districts. In FY 2025/26, UGX23Bn has been allocated against a funding requirement of UGX66bn.The Committee recommends that Government adequately funds road equipment maintenance given that repairs need to be done in a timely manner because when left unattended to, they develop into much bigger complicated issues which require more money and at times total overhaul,” remarked Awany.
According to the Ministry of Works and Transport, Government procured and distributed road equipment to various districts and Government Institutions to improve infrastructure and road maintenance and these included equipment like wheel loaders, motor graders, excavators, low beds, vibrio rollers, bulldozers, water bowsers, and dump trucks.
Awany informed Parliament that although Government planned to ensure that these machines were well maintained and operators trained to prevent damage and ensure longevity, the lack of commitment towards providing adequate funds for timely repairs have led to total breakdown of most of the district road equipment and yet they are critical for maintenance of the crumbling road infrastructure in most districts.
Elisa Rutahigwa (Rukungiri Municipality) backed the proposal for additional funds for the maintenance of road equipment and tasked Government to also purchase equipment for districts like Rukungiri that have no road equipment, as hiring of the equipment has become costly for his constituency.
“Some districts are very big and the topography and terrain is also challenging. The road equipment that we have today, I want to use the example of Rukungiri district, the road equipment that we have is very old, in fact we can’t use it, we now have to hire and hiring is very expensive. According to the report, UGX66Bn was budgeted for, but they only provided UGX23Bn, I want to recommend that all that money should be available to buy equipment for our constituencies,” said Rutahigwa.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Works and Transport has also requested for Shs50Bn for the construction of various bridges across the country.
The Physical Infrastructure Committee was informed that the Ministry is implementing a rural bridges infrastructure development project with the aim of enhancing rural connectivity and access to essential services, focusing on trail bridges for safe passage in areas where traditional bridges are lacking.
In the coming Financial Year, 2025/26, the Ministry of Works and Transport has planned to carry out various bridge constructions in the districts of; Bundibugyo (Nyahuka- Mirambi Bridge), Bulambuli/ Bukedea (Tajar Bridge), Pallisa (Aleles Bridge), Kasese (Karujumba Bridge), Sironko (Bugibuni Bunadasa Bridge) Budaka (Kadokolene Swamp Crossing) and Tororo (Funguwe Muwafu Swamp Crossing). These have been allocated a budget requirement of UGX50Bn but only UGX19Bn has been allocated, leaving a funding gap of UGX31Bn.
“Rural Bridges Infrastructure Development Project has bolstered rural connectivity with a multitude of bridges built across the country and ensuring safe passages where it was previously extremely difficult to access. Many bridges and road infrastructure were and; are normally damaged or washed away during rainy seasons hence the need to constantly carry out construction or rehabilitation works to enable accessibility of the populace to the various essential social services,” explained Awany.
Parliament now wants Government to avail additional UGX31Bn towards development of rural bridges infrastructure in order to enable the affected populace access various essential social services.
