infrastructure 16 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Kigezi Tourism Roads Lag at 2% Progress One Year After Launch
Upgrading works on the vital Kabale-Lake Bunyonyi and Kisoro-Mgahinga roads in Uganda's Kigezi region have barely advanced beyond 2% after a year, frustrating businesses, farmers, and tourism operators. Local leaders demand action against the contractor amid frequent road closures and stalled equipment arrival. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/works-on-key-kigezi-tourism-roads-stagnate-at-2-a-year-after-start-5426592
The Kabale-Lake Bunyonyi and Kisoro-Mgahinga roads, totaling about 22 kilometers, are crucial for linking businesses and key tourism sites in the Kigezi sub-region. These roads are being tarmacked under a Shs122 billion contract awarded to Samcrete Egyptian Engineers, with 85% funding from the African Development Bank and 15% from the Ugandan government.
Launched on June 13, 2025, by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, the project was slated for completion by March 31, 2028. However, a report from Kabale Resident District Commissioner Major Godfrey Katamba on April 2, 2026, reveals only 2.07% physical progress against a planned 31.85%.
Major Katamba described the works as essentially stalled despite some activity and an advance payment of 15%. He highlighted frequent road closures causing a 50% drop in tourism bookings and called for blacklisting the contractor.
Kisoro District Chairperson Abel Bizimana criticized the firm for incompetence, noting minimal equipment like a single tractor on site and delays in bringing machinery from Mombasa, Kenya. He urged contract termination to hand it to a more capable company.
The delays hinder international tourists heading to Mgahinga National Park for gorilla trekking and local farmers transporting produce to markets. Kigezi Tourism Cluster Chairperson Canon Ivan Mbabazi Batuma expressed dismay at the minimal progress after one year of a three-year contract, appealing for government intervention.
While the contractor’s community liaison officer was unavailable for comment, Ministry of Works and Transport’s Allan Ssempebwa assured close supervision to meet deadlines.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)