Motorists plying the Lira-Apac highway are protesting delays by Uganda National Roads Authority-UNRA to rehabilitate the Highway. The 140 Km highway stretching from Lira town via Aduku to Masindi Port was rendered impassable about a month ago, after all the bridges were submerged by water. Two weeks ago, drivers protested the poor state of the Highway but resumed work after getting assurances from UNRA that the rehabilitation work would start within one week.

However, since then nothing has been done forcing drivers to find alternative routes. Transport from Lira town up to Apac through Aduku Township, has doubled from 9000 shillings to between 15, 000 and 18,000 shillings. Patrick Okello, the chairperson of Taxi Drivers operating along Lira-Apac highway is concerned over  delays by UNRA to rehabilitate the highway. Okello says that the drivers are experiencing persistent breakdowns of their vehicles because of the appalling state of the road.

Jacob Otim, another driver wonders why government has paid a deaf ear to their concerns over the poor state of the Highway. He explains that many drivers have decided to abandon work because of the current state of the Highway. Otim appeals to Apac district authorities to rehabilitate the highway since UNRA has failed to come to their rescue. Bob Okae, the Apac district LCV chairperson wants government his district mandate to manage all roads under its jurisdiction including the highway. He claims that most of the roads under the management of his district are properly maintained.

Okae says that since the highway became impassable residents are struggling with high transport and essential commodity prices. Samuel Muhoozi, the UNRA Lira station engineer attributes the delay to rehabilitate the highway on lengthy procurement procedures. He explains that UNRA is still hunting for a contractor, adding that work will start after one is hired.