Tourism stakeholders in Kabale District have raised alarm over the slow progress of construction on the road connecting Kabale District to Lake Bunyonyi, warning that the delays are already hurting tourism performance in the Kigezi sub-region.
The 15.8-kilometre Kabale–Lake Bunyonyi road project, launched on June 13, 2025 by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa on behalf of the President, was designed to ease access to one of Uganda’s most popular tourist destinations.
The road is part of a broader Shs112 billion infrastructure programme that also includes the Kisoro–Mgahinga road.
The project is funded largely by the African Development Bank in partnership with the Government of Uganda, with works being executed by Samcrete Egypt Engineers and Contractors.
However, nearly a year after its launch, progress remains significantly behind schedule.
A report dated April 2, 2026 indicates that only 2.07 percent of the work has been completed, raising concern among tourism players and local leaders.
Eng. Ivan Mbabazi Batuma, Chairperson of the Kigezi Tourism Cluster, said Lake Bunyonyi is central to the region’s tourism economy, and the slow pace of works is already taking a toll.
Stakeholders estimate that tourism-related businesses have lost up to 30 percent of their income within a short period.
“During recent peak tourism seasons, many businesses suffered losses due to poor road access. With more busy months ahead, there is growing anxiety that the situation could worsen if no urgent action is taken,” Batuma said.
Tour operators are already feeling the impact. Wyclif Rushaju, Director of Gorilla and Beyond Safaris and Mirere Bunyonyi Lodge, reported a decline in bookings, attributing it to the deteriorating access routes.
He said diversion roads are poorly maintained, limiting access and discouraging both local and international tourists from visiting the area.
Kabale Resident District Commissioner Maj. Godfrey Katamba acknowledged the slow progress and said concerns had been raised with the Ministry of Works and Transport as early as October 2025.
In response, the ministry says it is monitoring the situation. Allan Ssempebwa, Senior Communications Officer at the Ministry, confirmed that the contractor remains on site and expressed optimism that the project could still be completed within the planned three-year timeline—if the pace improves.
Despite these assurances, stakeholders remain cautious, calling for visible and consistent progress to safeguard tourism in the Kigezi sub-region, which heavily relies on smooth access to Lake Bunyonyi.
Attempts to obtain a comment from the contractor were unsuccessful by the time of publication.
