Lamwo district leaders have asked Parliament to intervene over incomplete works on a 34.8-kilometre road constructed under the Development Response to Displacement Impacts Project (DRDIP), citing a sh375 million funding shortfall.

The concerns emerged during an inspection of the road led by Tochi County MP Okot Peter, who chairs Parliament’s Committee on Presidential Affairs, following a request by the district for additional funding to complete the outstanding works.

Okot, accompanied by Palabek Gem sub-county LCIII chairperson Anywar Dan Fred, expressed disappointment over the state of the road, which was reportedly declared complete about three years ago.

The inspection revealed abandoned culverts, incomplete bridge works and sections requiring backfilling and proper compaction, raising questions about the reported completion status of the project.

Okot said the district had asked Parliament to approve ‘Document Two’ to facilitate additional works after discovering discrepancies between the reported completion status and the actual condition of the road.

“We have been informed that this is the road that was done three years ago and, on paper, it is indicated as complete. What we have come to see today is completely disappointing,” Okot said.

He questioned why more than 100 culverts supplied for the project had reportedly remained unused instead of being installed to improve drainage.

The MP also raised concerns about a bridge that was expected to have four spans but had only two, warning that sections left without proper compaction could be washed away by heavy rains.

The leaders further identified incomplete works at Pagola Bridge and Agula Bridge along the route towards Palabek Abera sub-county, saying the structures required additional work to ensure proper connectivity.

Former DRDIP desk officer for Lamwo district, Nyeko Wilfred, said the original contract sum was sh2.5 billion, but the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) released sh2.125 billion, leaving a shortfall of sh375 million.

Nyeko said the funds were intended to cover bush clearing, road opening, murram gravelling, ramping, construction of two box culverts and installation of 600mm and 300mm culverts.

He explained that the funding constraints affected implementation, prompting the district to seek additional resources to complete the outstanding works.

According to Nyeko, the district has submitted a request for additional funding to OPM, which has received the district’s Request for consideration.

The funding request also includes the construction of a bridge across River Wich, estimated to have a span of about 20 metres.

Nyeko said the district was seeking resources to complete the outstanding works and address infrastructure gaps along the road.

Residents said the incomplete road infrastructure continued to affect movement and access to essential services.

Adong Christina, a resident of Palabek Gem, said the condition of the road was a concern for communities that depend on it for their daily activities.

Amone Jimmy, from Beyoogoya Village, also raised concerns about the road’s condition and the challenges faced by residents travelling through the area.

The residents’ concerns come as district leaders seek additional resources to complete the project and improve connectivity.

The Development Response to Displacement Impacts Project is a government programme supported by the World Bank to improve access to basic services, strengthen livelihoods and develop community infrastructure in refugee-hosting areas.

The programme targets communities affected by displacement, including host populations experiencing increased pressure on roads, schools, health facilities and other public services.

Lamwo is among Uganda’s refugee-hosting districts, with communities hosting refugees from neighbouring South Sudan.

The road project was intended to improve connectivity and support access to social services and economic opportunities for communities in the district.

However, the concerns raised during the inspection have renewed calls for accountability over project implementation, the utilisation of supplied materials and the completion of outstanding works.

The district is seeking additional funding from OPM to address the gaps and ensure the road serves its intended purpose.