KIGEZI, UGANDA – High-profile government officials have confirmed the imminent construction of long-awaited major roads in the Kigezi sub-region, a project set to transform the economic and tourism landscape of Southwestern Uganda.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The confirmation was delivered authoritatively by the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Anita Among, and personally reaffirmed by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni during a series of presidential rallies in Kigezi districts.
The development marks a major victory for local communities and the tourism sector, which has long grappled with challenging road networks connecting the region to world-renowned national parks.
During his campaign tour, which commenced this week in Kisoro District on Monday and concluded in Rukungiri on Wednesday, President Museveni highlighted a number of the ruling government’s achievements.
Among the government’s cited achievements, which included Universal Primary and Secondary Education (UPE & USE) and the expansion of schools and health facilities, the pledge to tarmac a network of crucial roads received the most prominent focus.
Key roads identified for tarmacking include the 70km Muhanga–Kisizi–Rubaare Road, the extensive 149km Hamurwa–Karere–Kanungu–Kanyantorogo–Butogota–Buhoma–Ruhija–Nfasha Road, and the 87km Kihihi–Ishasha–Katunguru Road.
Speaker Anita Among provided critical reassurance, confirming that the road projects are a top priority with funding already secured in the budget and construction set to begin within the next five-year term.
The long-awaited announcement has been met with particular enthusiasm in Kanungu District, which is a critical hub for Uganda’s tourism industry.
The district hosts both the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, famous for its mountain gorillas, and the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, renowned for its unique tree-climbing lions.
At the presidential rally held at Rwere Playground in Kirima Sub-county in Kanungu District on Wednesday , November 26, 2025, Mr. Caleb Kipande, the Kanungu District NRM Party Chairperson, underscored the economic importance of the road upgrades.
He pointed to the disparity in gorilla permit prices, where Uganda charges $800 compared to Rwanda’s $1,500, attributing Rwanda’s premium largely to its superior road infrastructure.
“The tarmacking of these roads, especially the Kihihi-Ishasha-Katunguru road, is a game-changer. It will drastically improve accessibility to our parks, enhance the visitor experience, and allow Uganda to better compete regionally,” Kipande said.
At the rally, the National Party Chairperson and Presidential flag bearer, Gen. Museveni, emphasized that beyond tourism, the new roads are central to his government’s poverty alleviation agenda.
He declared the new roads essential for bridging the economic divide, finally linking producers in deep, remote areas with viable market opportunities to maximize their earnings and transform local livelihoods.
The President also listed several government initiatives like the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, and the Youth Livelihood Programme as part of a broader strategy to uplift household incomes, with quality roads acting as a critical enabler.
The confirmation of the Kigezi roads marks a pivotal step towards unlocking the region’s vast economic potential, promising smoother journeys for tourists and a brighter, more connected future for local communities.
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