Kagadi
The Ministry of Works and Transport has impounded a grader belonging to the Kagadi district local government over misuse.
This followed an incident last week where the grader registration number UG 1706W was found working on a private site belonging Timex Bukinda Hydro small dam in Buhumuliro sub county.
The grader was allegedly hired out to Timex Bukinda Hydro small dam firm by its operator Ambrose Tumwine and the turn man Deo Bamanya together with other district officials who are yet to be identified.
It is alleged that the officials hired the grader to the Timex Bukinda Hydro small dam at a cost of one million Shillings.
A whistle blower alerted Kagadi police who swung into action and arrested the operator. Police also confiscated the road equipment and towed it to the Kagadi central police station.
The suspects were later released on police bond as investigations were still ongoing.
Following the incident, officials from the ministry of works made an impromptu visit to the district on Wednesday and transported the road equipment back to their headquarters in Kampala.
Fred Byamukama, the Works and Transport State Minister said that, it was wrong, criminal and illegal for the district officials to hire out the road equipment to the private investor.
Byamukama said that the government recently allocated 1.138 billion shillings to the district for road maintenance but to date, more than 600 million shillings is lying idle on the district account without being used stating that the money could be taken back to the consolidated fund.
Lilian Ruteraho, the Kagadi Resident District Commissioner-RDC condemned the action by some leaders who connived and hired out the district grader. She says her office would take stern action against the culprits.
Hon.Janepher Kyomuhendo Mbabazi , the Kagadi district woman Member of parliament says many roads in the district are in sorry state wondering why the district leaders should connive to hire out the government grader to a private investor.
She says taking the grader back to the works ministry will negatively impact on the maintenance of roads in the district.
Engineer Robert Bukenya stranded during inspection of road equipment
The News Editor ,Reporter at Kagadi Kibaale community Radio
