Lango Leaders Demand Answers Over Exclusion From Planned Road Upgrades

What the report says

Leaders in Uganda’s Lango Sub-region are pressing the government for answers after saying several key roads were left out of planned national upgrades, even as heavy rains worsen travel conditions across the area. According to Nile Post, the concerns span nine districts and Lira City, where muddy and damaged roads are making it harder for residents to reach markets, schools, health facilities and other services.

Former Alebtong District chairperson David Kennedy Odongo said routes including Amolatar-Dokolo, Lira-Aloi-Otuke-Abim-Kotido, Corner Molem-Aboke through Iceme, Ngai and Bobi, and Ngeta-Baralegi should be prioritised. He argued that poor connectivity is raising transport costs, reducing farmers’ returns and weakening the impact of government livelihood programmes such as the Parish Development Model. He also said the region’s road needs should be treated as a matter of fairness in infrastructure funding rather than politics.

Other local figures echoed those concerns. Patrick Ogwang, a former Lira City Development Forum president, said rain damage is exposing the fragility of the network and urged an emergency repair plan. District leaders in Amolatar and Lira said they are seeking more support, citing low-lying terrain and ageing machinery that limit maintenance work. They also called for better access roads around Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium, which is expected to be a major regional facility. The broader issue matters because road access affects trade, public services and preparations for future development projects.