Apac district is one of the traditional districts in Uganda but it is so absurd that the roads are in a very sorry state. The district used to comprise of four counties namely Oyam, Kole, Maruzi and Kwania. Currently Oyam and Kole have received district status and Kwania county was tabled before Parliament as one of the districts to be granted a district status in 2016.

Services delivery in Apac still remains a night mare to the citizens of Apac who at times feel that they have been neglected by the government. The reason the population feel this way is because the dorninant party in the district is UPC (Uganda People’s Congress). On several instances, the people of Apac have been promised tarmac road from Masindi Port to Kitghum district via Lira but every new financial year, people eagerly keep their ears to the ground and eyes in the Newspapers hoping for the best only to be disappointed.

The sorry state of the roads leading to and from Apac district has partly cut it off from its neighbouring new districts that were formed from it. This has resulted to high transport costs, long duration spent travelling and very hectic journeys as passengers are frequently through into deep pot-holes. This has also affected businesses in the areas as most entrepreneurs prefer to invest in areas which are easily accessible hence depriving the district of revenue that could contribute to its further development.

During the second rains last year, all roads were filled up with water to the extent that small vehicles were not crossing and it was only four wheel drive vehicles (though limited in number) that were being used. A small wooden boat was also introduced at Apac-Arocha road to help people cross over ata fee of 300/=. There were also strong youth who were carrying people over the road ata fee of 500/=. This deprived the people of Apac of freedom of movement and had to incur losses in order to cross over. There were lots of complaints and debates on the community Radio (Radio Apac FM) and the community members reached the extent of blocking the road. It was after this deliberate action that the road was worked on and the broken culverts replaced at Arocha and Aduku roads and movement was eased again.

However, the border between Anyambazi and Abutaber cells is what has made travelling over Apac –Kole via Chegere sub-county a night mare to many road users (motorists, cyclists and pedestrians). In fact, vehicles have ceased to pass through the Apac-Chegere main road and a short cut has been formed which is even quite far as vehicles cannot cross over the water. Motorcyclists and pedestrians have to remove their shoes and pass into the water, which9is even very dirty. The road has been in that state since last year when the heavy rains flooded all the roads leading to Apac town as the road was not worked on well.

This is a road that was upgraded to the central government and the citizens pay lots of taxes. Our concern is where this money is being taken to or used for? Can the government come up and address this issue because we the citizens from Apac are fed up of the situation?

By Brenda Otika,

Rural Projects Officer, WOUGNET

KIC/Apac