Until recently, Kwabaganda village in Bugaki Subcounty, Kyenjojo District, was
constrained with road travels within the village. Children risked their lives crossing
swamps just to reach school. Expectant mothers gave birth at home because
ambulances could not reach them. Farmers watched their harvests rot, unable to get
produce to market. This infrastructure constraint was within Kwabaganda village.
Through the Participatory Action Research(PAR) initiative, a community empowerment
project, people of Kwabaganda came together in citizen committees, discussed
solutions, and acted in spirit of Burungi-bwansi (voluntary community work). Residents
cut the bush, opened a road, and laid culverts. Kwabaganda locals echoed “We have
done our part, now it is time for government to do theirs,”.
What is lacking?
Yet challenges remain. The road still lacks marram, making it vulnerable to erosion and
flooding. The LC1 chairperson has appealed for district support to ensure the road is
made durable and passable year-round.
This story is more than a road. It is proof that when citizens are empowered, they can
spark change. But community effort alone is not enough government must step in to
sustain it.
Our Call
As CoST Uganda-The infrastructure initiative, and Africa Freedom of Information Centre
(AFIC), we promote Transparency, Accountability, and better delivery of public
infrastructure. We now call on Kyenjojo District Local Government, to match the
people’s effort with investment, so that Kwabaganda’s road becomes a permanent
gateway to opportunity. Kyenjojo district citizens have acted and now, the responsibility
lies with government to turn that spark of hope into lasting change.
