Overview:
The gabion baskets, wire mesh containers filled with rocks, stones, or soil, are used for erosion control, flood protection, and landscaping. They are a crucial component of road construction projects, particularly in areas prone to flooding and erosion.
Local communities in Kitgum district are vandalizing gabion baskets installed along newly constructed roads to catch rats, dealing a blow to the district’s efforts to improve infrastructure.
The gabion baskets, wire mesh containers filled with rocks, stones, or soil, are used for erosion control, flood protection, and landscaping. They are a crucial component of road construction projects, particularly in areas prone to flooding and erosion.
According to James Olimocan, the Kitgum district Road Engineer, the vandalism has led to the destruction of countless gabion baskets, making it challenging for the district to maintain the roads.
“This has made newly constructed roads, especially around bridges and swamps, get destroyed easily,” he said during the commissioning of the completed UGX 245 million Akilok-Lokom 1.8-kilometre spot improvement project in Orom East Sub-county.
He said the trend has not only wasted resources but also hindered the district’s efforts to address the challenge of bad roads, affecting pregnant mothers seeking maternal services and other vulnerable groups.
Walter Oyoo Komakech, the Kitgum Deputy Resident District Commissioner, warned that besides the LC1s, the Gombolola Internal Security Officers of all sub-counties where gabion baskets are installed will launch an operation to arrest those involved in the vandalism and the LC1s of affected villages.
“We are going to launch an operation in all villages around where the gabion basket was first installed but later destroyed, and also arrest the LC1s and community members of these villages once the gabion basket has been vandalized,” Komakech said.
He urged the community to appreciate the government’s efforts in improving infrastructure and report any cases of vandalism.
Emmanuel Lapyem, the Kitgum district Vice chairperson, expressed disappointment with the community’s actions, saying, “It is sad that some community members are not appreciating the government’s efforts in addressing the challenges of bad roads.”
Lapyem said that to address the issue, all Local Council One chairpersons must be tasked to ensure the safety of gabion baskets in their areas, as they are government properties.
The Gombolola Internal Security Officers will also launch an operation to arrest those involved in the vandalism and the LC1s of the affected villages.
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