transport 8 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Masaka-Mutukula Roadworks: Locals Express Frustration Over Slow Pace
Residents, traders, and motorists along the Masaka-Mutukula highway are voicing concerns over the slow progress of reconstruction works, now nearly two years into the project. The delays are impacting local businesses and raising safety issues. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/locals-complain-over-pace-of-masaka-mutukula-roadworks-5489792
Nearly two years after the extensive reconstruction of the Masaka–Kyotera–Mutukula highway began, communities along this vital transport corridor are expressing growing impatience with the pace of the works. The 89.5-kilometer road, crucial for trade between Uganda and Tanzania, is undergoing a Shs692 billion upgrade by Chinese contractor Chongqing International Construction Corporation (CICO).
While the project, officially launched in March 2024, aims to enhance regional trade, lower transport costs, and improve safety, many residents feel the visible progress does not match the nearly two years already invested. The upgrade to bitumen standards is a significant undertaking for a road originally built in the 1960s.
For traders in local centers like Bukunda and Kabonera, the prolonged construction has been detrimental. Persistent dust from heavy machinery and truck traffic coats merchandise, affecting sales and customer confidence. Shopkeepers report that dusty goods are perceived as old or expired, leading shoppers to seek cleaner alternatives.
Similarly, vendors of fresh produce are suffering from reduced sales as customers are hesitant to purchase food items exposed to dust. This has forced some traders to lower prices, while others face losses from spoilage.
Motorists are also raising significant safety concerns. The combination of potholes, dust reducing visibility, and temporary diversions creates hazardous driving conditions, especially during inclement weather. Drivers expected more significant portions of the road to be completed by this stage.
Accidents have become a frequent occurrence, with community members attributing some to poor visibility and difficult road conditions. The open trenches and traffic navigating the site pose risks not only to drivers but also to pedestrians attempting to avoid them.