By ALEX PITHUA

Dozens of East Africa trucks plying DR Congo are stranded in Zombo district due to appalling road conditions cutting them off from accessing Padea one stop border point to deliver goods in the war ravaged Ituri province and Tshopo province respectively.

The situation has been exacerbated by seasonal torrential rains which is at peak in the area, and the sections of the national road in Abanga and Nyapea sub-counties, along Ayuda and Nyagak bridge slopes has become muddy sticky and slippery causing trouble to heavy truck drivers and motorists impeding movements alike.

Bolingo Francis, District councilor representing Athuma sub-county in Zombo district, blamed the situation on the government's deliberate failure to tarmac this road yet its feasibility study was done in 2015.

Bolingo added that this impassable condition of the road during the rainy season has affected movement of the district staff, local business, patients who seek health services and school going children respectively.

“Many vehicles are stacked on the road for me. I blame the government even though the district workers cannot reach the district headquarters.” Bolingo stressed his concern

Meanwhile former Okoro county MP, Eng. Simon D’Ujanga for his part have categorically revealed that, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) blatantly diverted the funds parliament had allocated for tarmacking the 119km Nebbi-Goli-Paidha-Zombo-Zeu-Warr-Vurra road, three times.

D'Ujanga, who served as MP for over 15 years, in a press conference at his residence in Kaya parish, Paidha Sub County, revealed that during his tenure, he and other officials confronted the Ministry of Finance in the presence of the President, adding that the Ministry admitted the diversion of funds on three separate occasions, undermining efforts to improve the areas connectivity.

The road which everybody is talking about, we and other members of parliament of this region, will confirmed this, “three times we budgeted for this road, three times the money was diverted by the minister of finance and when we confronted the minister of finance in front of the president he confirmed the money was diverted.” Eng. D’Ujanga shares during exclusive interview with our reporter

Adong Sarah, an aspirant for Zombo district, has appealed to the government tarmacking this road to boost agricultural production and trade.

“Zombo has been a food basket for the region but for so long the road has been neglected.” Adong said

“when you look at the challenges the district is facing, as I traverse the district, farmers cannot access markets and no one is speaking about this. Adong complained further

In 2022, during coronation anniversary of Alur King at Atyak Seed Secondary school in Zombo district, president Museveni pronounced that first class marram will be put on this road, in 2024, during thanksgiving prayers for state minister of minerals, Phiona Nyamotoro, in Nebbi Municipality president Museveni promised he will tarmac this road and early this year (2025) while in Yumbe district, president said he will tarmac this road without giving specific time frame.

According to the Uganda Meteorological Authority report for June, July and August 2025, the rain pattern is influence by key climate factors such as intra-seasonal variation of the Madden-Jullian Oscillation, Position of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone, Current Neutral State of Sea Surface Temperatures  among others.

Trucks drivers speak out

Japonjo Gidione, who is delivering goods to Mungualu, a town in the mining areas of Njugu territory has spent a week long the national road, shares the disturbing experience to our reporter, “my boss is complaining about this delay which is leading to late delivery, he is calling me frequently.” Can you listen to the WhatsApp voice note my boss is always sending? Joponjo shares the ordeal with our reporter. He added that he has spent all his pocket money.

Louis Umirambe, is delivering has equally shared in the town of in Mahagi and Ndrele has bitterly complained about over spending in Paidha town on accommodation and feeding.

Moise Waju, a driver from Jalasiga town in DR Congo coming to pick goods from the store of boss’s business partner in Paidha town –Uganda arrived after a week long journey has described the roads in DR Congo worse than the one in Uganda.

“The situation here in Uganda is fair, otherwise in DR Congo we are used to the situation but all in all we will travel back..,” Waju shared during an interview.

However, casual laborers (loaders) in Paidha town have complained about lack of jobs since trucks which are coming from DR Congo to pick goods in Paidha town have dropped significantly.

Several of them who spoke to our reporter revealed that loading goods on a daily basis is their only source of income, adding they are stacked if the rain persists.

Alex Pithua is news editor at Zoomer Africa your grassroot infomations.