Kanungu District was thrown into turmoil yesterday as hundreds of residents took to the streets, demanding the immediate commencement of the long‑delayed Hamurwa–Kerere–Kanungu (47 km) and Kanyantorogo–Butogota–Ruhija (32 km) road projects.
The demonstrations, marked by chants, placards, and blocked traffic, reflected growing frustration over what locals describe as “a decade’s long promise” by President Yoweri Museveni that has yet to materialize.The two road projects, first highlighted in government plans nearly ten years ago, were reaffirmed by Museveni during campaign rallies in 2025.
He assured residents that the roads—critical for tourism and trade—would be upgraded under the partnership with China Henan International Cooperation (CHICO).
The company had already completed major works such as the Rukungiri–Kanungu road and expressed readiness to tackle the Kanungu projects.
Yet, despite repeated assurances, no tangible progress has been seen on the ground.Residents argue that the poor state of the roads has crippled economic activity in the region.
Traders complain of high transport costs and frequent vehicle breakdowns, while tourism operators lament the difficulty of accessing Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks, both globally renowned for mountain gorilla trekking.
“We are losing millions in potential revenue because tourists cannot reach us easily,” said one hotel owner in Butogota. “The President promised, but promises alone cannot fill potholes.”Local leaders joined the chorus of discontent.
Kanungu LCV Chairman Francis Byamukama expressed concern that the long wait for the project which President Museveni first promised in 2001 could plung residents into more hopelessness. He, however, urged the government to honor its commitments, noting that the road’s symbolic renaming to Garuga Road last year had raised expectations.
“Renaming without action is empty symbolism. He told Watchdog news in an exclusive telephone interview. “Our people deserve more than words—they deserve roads.” We have lost lives due to that road and every now and then, officials from Kampala promise a quick start which all end in empty promises.” He added.
The Ministry of Finance and Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) have cited debt ceilings and budget constraints as reasons for the delay. Uganda’s public debt currently stands at over 53 percent of GDP, forcing the government to postpone new infrastructure loans.
While CHICO has proposed flexible financing options, including deferred payments, Treasury approval remains elusive. Analysts warn that continued postponement risks undermining Uganda’s tourism recovery and regional integration with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Yesterday’s protests highlight the growing impatience among citizens who feel sidelined by government priorities.
Demonstrators blocked sections of the Kanungu–Kerere route, chanting slogans such as “Museveni, fulfill your word” and “Roads before politics.” Police maintained a heavy presence but allowed the protests to proceed peacefully, a sign of the sensitivity surrounding the issue.
The government now faces a critical test: whether to act swiftly to salvage public trust or risk further unrest. For Kanungu residents, the road is more than asphalt—it is a lifeline to markets, hospitals, schools, and the tourism industry.
As one protester put it, “We are not asking for luxury; we are asking for dignity. A road is dignity.”The storming of Kanungu’s streets sends a clear message: patience has worn thin. Unless the government moves decisively, the promise of a decade may become the protest of a generation.
