Gold pits hamper rehabilitation of major roads in Busia

Busia, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The open gold pits dug by artisanal miners on the roadsides in Busia district are hampering their rehabilitation. Gold mining is practiced in Namungodi and Tiira town councils and Busitema, Buteba and Tiira sub-counties.

However, the poor gold mining practices have affected the 11-kilometer Amungura-Ndaiga road in Buteba sub-county, 12.5kilometer Tiira-Busitema road, Tiira, the 5-kilometer Makina-Syaule road in Busitema sub-county and Akobwait-Okame road among others.

Moses Obale, the Buteba sub-county LCV councillor says that he has severally tried to plead with the district engineer to work on the roads in vain because of the deep gold pits on the roadside. According to Obale, the engineers fear for the life of the operators and road equipment.

Ben Okamar, the LC3 chairperson of Busitema sub-county says that they have tried to plead with the landlords and gold pit owners to cover the deep pits on the roadsides in vain.

He says that some people have fallen in the pits and escaped with serious injuries. Christine Ecumi, the speaker of the Buteba sub-county says that they are planning to involve the village leadership to mobilize locals to fill up the pits on the roads.

Florence Okasiban, the Mawero parish councillor says that they want district authorities to help them to sensitize artisanal miners on the dangers of mining along the roadside.

Fred Ouma, the Buteba sub-county chief says that there is a need to revive road committees at both the district and sub-county levels to enforce the closure of the pits.

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