Police in Bushenyi District have this morning engaged in running battles with road users who blocked the Mbarara-Ishaka road saying it has become a death trap due to the terrible state it is currently in.
The charged residents including civil society activists at around 11am blocked the highway with tree branches accusing the government of neglecting a critical spot at Kajurugo in Bushenyi town.
This paralyzed traffic for some hours before police used tear gas to disperse the protesters and cleared the road.
About three people suspected to be ring leaders were arrested and are currently detained at Bushenyi Central Police Station.
According to reports those that have been arrested include; Apollo Lee Kakonge, the Executive Director of Western Ankole Civil Society Forum, Carol Namara, and Bruce Mugisha all members of the same forum.
Kakonge said that the Mbarara-Kasese road via Ishaka, a crucial link between Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo, has been in a pathetic state for many years, making transportation difficult.
Rosemary Tumukunde, a resident of Ishaka said the road has claimed lives due to its bad state and it is high time the concerned authorities heeded to the call by users.
Last November, Bushenyi District leaders during a meeting with the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) expressed dissatisfaction with the government over the deteriorating state of the road.
The UNRA Mbarara station manager, Julius Ahurra, then said they were finalizing the process of rehabilitating the road.
