Perceived contribution of road infrastructure development on households in Isingiro Town Council, Uganda

Abstract

The Ugandan government has prioritized road infrastructure as a cornerstone of its socio-economic development strategy, undertaking significant projects over the last decade. However, limited research, particularly in social sciences, has documented the impact of road infrastructure on human welfare. This study investigates the perceptions of residents in Isingiro Town Council regarding the perceived contribution of the Mbarara-Isingiro road to household welfare. The study objectives were to: (i) describe the perceptions of people in Isingiro Town Council concerning household welfare conditions before and after the construction of the Mbarara-Kikagati road, (ii) describe how people of Isingiro Town Council perceive the opportunities that arose from constructing the Mbarara-Kikagati road (iii) describe how the people of Isingiro Town Council are utilizing these perceived opportunities to improve their household welfare, and (iv) examine the factors affecting the people of Isingiro Town Council in utilizing the Mbarara-Kikagati road for enhancing their household welfare. A mixed methods approach was employed, incorporating quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. Data were collected from 70 completed household surveys using structured questionnaires, alongside in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews with local leaders and government officials. The study found that 77.1% of respondents attributed increased household incomes to the road, citing better market access, rising demand, and business opportunities. Many households transitioned from reliance on crop and livestock production to non-land-based livelihoods. Additionally, 68.6% reported frequent road use for accessing social services, markets, and suppliers for their businesses. A significant 94.3% acknowledged benefiting from the road due to new economic opportunities, market access and improved mobility. Only 2.9% reported challenges, mainly related to distance from the road, while 97.1% faced no difficulties utilizing it. Perceiving the positive impacts of the Mbarara-Kikagati on the human welfare of residents in Isingiro Town Council. There is a need for the Government to adopt a holistic approach to road infrastructure development in Uganda. This includes investing in the upgrading of district, community, and rural roads that connect to major roads. By improving these links, the full potential of road infrastructure can be realized, leading to enhanced household welfare and broader socio-economic benefits for communities.