Ugandans are this Monday morning taking to social media to share pictures and videos of the Kampala’s scariest potholes.
The online expo is the brainchild of award-winning cartoonist Jimmy Spire Ssentongo, and a form of protest for what appears to be government’s continued neglect of the road network in the capital city.
Mr Sentongo says expo is intended to draw the attention of the concerned agencies including KCCA, UNRA and Ministry of Works to the worsening state of roads in the country.
Our preliminary KAMPALA POTHOLE EXHIBITION starts on Monday 17th April. We shall exhibit Kampala pothole photos on every tweet by @KCCAUG @UNRA_UG @NRMOnline @GenWamala with the location of the pothole (pondhole), age of the pothole, estimated size, and a note of thanks
— Jim Spire Ssentongo (@SpireJim) April 15, 2023
He adds that the protest is meant shame the City Authority and Government which has made so many false promises about fixing the roads.
The issue of Kampala roads has recently been central in debates and discussions both at KCCA and in the public, amid claims of corruption
Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago earlier this year accused officials at KCCA of misusing Shs 1 trillion which was secured from the African Development Bank for the construction of 31 roads across the city.
Lukwago said the budget for the construction of the roads was inflated, with each kilometer costing a staggering Shs 14.4 billion
KCCA on the other hand has blamed the Central Government for slashing its budget for maintenance of the city roads.
The poor state of Kampala roads has not only come at a hefty economic cost to road users but is also being cited as a lead cause of loss of lives for many young Ugandans.
A study launched this month found that Ugandans aged 20-29 were more likely to lose their lives on Kampala roads due to accidents