KABALE. The Government has officially launched the construction of the highly anticipated Kabale–Bunyonyi–Kisoro-Mugahinga tourism roads, located in Southwestern Uganda.
The groundbreaking ceremony was held today, with Deputy Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa representing President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as the chief guest.
This 33.2 km road project, valued at 112 billion Ugandan shillings, will also include two ferries for safer water transportation on Lake Bunyonyi, a Search and Rescue Boat, four landing sites, and two roadside markets.
The contract has been awarded to Samcrete Egypt Engineers & Contractors, who are expected to complete the project within 36 months. The Kisoro-Mugahinga road stretches 18.1 km, while the Kabale-Bunyonyi road is 15.1 km long.
While delivering the President’s speech at the Diocese of Kigezi Water Offices along Bunyonyi Road in Kabale Municipality, Tayebwa explained that the government decided to invest in these roads due to their strategic importance in improving accessibility within the tourism sector. Bunyonyi Road connects to Lake Bunyonyi, while Kisoro-Mugahinga Road links to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga National Park.
President Museveni reaffirmed the government’s commitment to kick-start the 106 km Muko–Kamuganguzi–Katuna tarmac road project.
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The Chairperson of Kabale District LC.5, Nelson Nshangabasheija, appealed for the employment of local labor, opportunities for supplying construction materials, as well as food and beverages.
“Let our people benefit from this project by providing local labor, food, and construction materials such as sand and stones,” he urged.
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Speaking at the same event, Eng. Mbabazi Ivan Batuma, Chairperson of the Kigezi Tourism Cluster, expressed relief that they had long advocated for the construction of these roads. He also called for consideration of additional tourism roads, including Kisoro–Nguringo–Rubuguri–Muko, Hamurwa–Kerere–Kanungu, Katunguru–Ishasha, Muhanga–Kisiizi–Rukungiri, and Ikumba–Ruhija–Buhoma.
Eng. Mbabazi also urged for the prioritization of developing the Batuma Memorial Airstrip, which was launched by President Museveni on November 30, 2016, but has seen no progress since then.
“While we need improved road transport, we also require air transport to complete the tourism travel circuit,” he said.
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The process to construct the Kabale–Bunyonyi Road began in 2018, following strategic lobbying by Ndorwa West MP David Bahati, then State Minister of Finance, and Rubanda East MP Henry Musasizi, who was serving as Chairperson of the Parliament’s Finance Committee.
Funds for the project were approved by Parliament in 2020, but a lengthy procurement process delayed the commencement.
According to Minister of Works and Transport Gen. Katumba Wamala, the African Development Bank is contributing 85% of the project funds, while the Ugandan government is providing the remaining 15%.
Levi Musinguzi, Head of Procurement at Samcrete Egypt Engineers & Contractors, assured that 70% of the workforce employed during construction will be sourced locally, while 30% of specialized roles will be filled by experts from outside Uganda, primarily Egypt.
Mr. Musinguzi promised that the Contractor would ensure that they produce quality work and in time