Buikwe: Residents of Triangle and Naava villages in Njeru Municipality have petitioned the Ministry of Local Government, accusing municipal authorities of illegally allocating public access roads to private investors, leaving communities cut off and raising fresh concerns over accountability in local government.
The residents allege that Kidda Road, which has for years linked Triangle and Naava villages, was allocated to Nile Hotel and later closed to public use.
They claim the transaction was overseen by the municipal physical planner, Mr Edmond Musoke, a move they say has disrupted transport and access for hundreds of residents.
According to the petitioners, another public road linking Naluwelele Village to Kayunga Road was also allocated to a cable manufacturing company, which erected a gate across the road. They allege the gate is locked at night and that even during the day access is restricted.
“This is a public road and should never have been sold,” one of the petitioners, Ms Nagujja, said, adding that the closure of Kidda Road is part of what residents describe as a growing pattern of disposing of public roads in the municipality.
She claimed several public access routes have gradually disappeared as private investors take control of land that was previously used by the community.
Another resident, Mr Simon Kaweesi, alleged that the municipality has previously attempted to allocate other public roads to private companies.
“They had even sold another road near Nytil. It took the intervention of the then State Minister for Lands, Mr Sam Mayanja, to save that road after he held a meeting with the concerned parties,” Mr Kaweesi said.
The petition comes as residents express optimism following recent changes in the leadership of the Ministry of Local Government.
They cited President Museveni’s recent remarks at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, where he explained that the appointment of Minister Balaam Barugahara and State Minister Justine Nameere was intended to address inefficiency and poor service delivery in local governments.
Residents said they are hopeful that Minister Barugahara’s warning to corrupt local government officials will lead to investigations into the alleged disposal of public roads in Njeru Municipality.
In a recent address, Mr Barugahara said a government assessment had established that poor performance by some local governments had contributed to public dissatisfaction, warning officials with irregularities in their offices to rectify them before government intervention.
The residents are now demanding that the Ministry of Local Government investigate the alleged sale of public roads, reopen the blocked access routes and hold any officials found responsible accountable.
Mr Edmond Musoke, the Njeru Municipality physical planner, could not immediately be reached for comment. The municipality’s official position will be included once obtained.
