Vehicles navigate potholes along Sir Apolo Kaggwa road (PHOTO/URN)
In a recent discourse on the deteriorating state of roads in Uganda, Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago voiced frustration over the government’s inadequate response to the public’s outcry. The issue escalated when President Yoweri Museveni deployed the Special Forces Command (SFC), a unit of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, in an attempt to mitigate the problem. This move, however, was met with criticism from the Lord Mayor, who suggested that the SFC’s involvement symbolizes a display of power rather than a genuine effort to rectify the infrastructure issues.
Public Dissatisfaction and Political Response
The Ugandan police, in response to planned demonstrations against poor road conditions, warned sternly against unlawful assemblies and processions. These protests were backed by opposition leaders, including the National Unity Platform leader, Robert Kyagulanyi, and former Forum for Democratic Change president, Dr Kizza Besigye, who were accused of instigating regime change. The police set up a National Operations Command Centre and urged the public to identify those inciting violence within the community.
Protests and the State of Roads
Political opposition leaders in Uganda organized protests across Kampala and other regions to express discontent over the abysmal state of road conditions. These demonstrations were tactically planned to coincide with the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in the capital. Despite the warnings from the police to disrupt any related demonstrations, the protests were expected to lead to clashes between demonstrators and security forces, resulting in transportation and business disruptions in the affected areas.
The Role of the Special Forces Command
The United Forces of Change, a coalition of multiple political parties, planned a series of activities to highlight the worsening crisis in the country. In response to the public outcry over the state of roads in Kampala, President Museveni ordered a release of 6 billion Shillings for road rehabilitation. However, this measure was deemed insufficient by the mayor of the Kampala Capital City Authority. The deployment of the SFC, traditionally a military unit, in a matter typically handled by civilian agencies, has raised eyebrows and drawn criticism from the Lord Mayor and seemingly from the public as well.
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