Oyam, Uganda – The Oyam District Roads Committee, led by Hon. Santa Alum Ogwang, Woman MP for Oyam District, has raised alarm over the rapid deterioration of newly constructed roads, attributing the issue to overloading by business transporters.
Following a survey conducted on 6th January 2025, the committee, together with key district officials, found that produce dealers and transporters are misusing roads by carrying loads exceeding the roads’ designed capacity.
The committee included Hon. Benson Walter Dila Oyuku, LC5 Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the committee, Hon. Betty Amongi Akena (MP Oyam South), Hon. Eunice Apio Otuku (MP Oyam North), and Eng. George Okite Okeng, the District Engineer, alongside other dignitaries.
Their findings revealed that although some roads were recently rehabilitated, they have already suffered significant damage due to overuse.
In her remarks, Hon. Santa Alum highlighted that roads are frequently damaged by businessmen transporting agricultural produce and construction materials using trucks that exceed the roads’ tonnage limits.
She urged business owners to adhere to load limits to prolong the lifespan of existing roads and reduce maintenance costs, which could instead be redirected towards constructing new roads.
“Some roads are barely a few months old but are already in poor condition due to misuse. We must all play our part in protecting public infrastructure,” Alum stated.
Eng. George Okite Okeng added that roads are technically designed with specific carrying capacities that must be respected.
He warned that transporting loads beyond the designated limit weakens the roads and shortens their durability.
“For example, if a truck carrying 300 tonnes operates on a road meant for lower loads, it will inevitably damage the road quickly,” Okeng explained.
Hon. Benson Walter Dila Oyuku pointed out specific examples of damaged roads, citing the road linking Otwal Station to Iceme, which has been significantly affected by overloaded trucks transporting produce.
He also urged residents living along road reserves to avoid harmful activities like digging for brick-making and plowing along road banks, which expose the roads to erosion and flooding.
“Preserving road reserves is critical to ensuring the durability of our roads. Misusing these spaces accelerates road destruction,” Dila said.
Responding to the committee’s concerns, Stalon Olong, Chairman of the Oyam Town Council Business Community and owner of Stalon Enterprises, acknowledged the issue but pointed out the lack of alternative good roads.
He appealed to the government to increase investment in road infrastructure to minimize the pressure on smaller access roads.
Meanwhile, Solomon Ogwang Juma, a renowned transporter from Aleka Subcounty, refuted claims that businessmen deliberately damage roads, attributing the problem to poor construction and maintenance.
“We depend on these roads for our livelihood, so we can’t intentionally destroy them. The real issue is the shoddy work done during road construction,” Ogwang lamented.
The Roads Committee concluded by pledging to strengthen road monitoring and enforcement while engaging the central government for more funding.
Their immediate focus will be on educating transporters and communities on road preservation to reduce unnecessary maintenance costs.