Tourism stakeholders and local leaders in Kabale District have welcomed the government’s decision to seek a new contractor to complete the stalled Kabale–Lake Bunyonyi and Kisoro–Mgahinga Road projects, saying the move could help restore confidence and support economic activity in the region.
The roads were scheduled for upgrading to high-quality bitumen standards under a project valued at Shs112 billion. The 15.8-kilometre project was commissioned on June 13, 2025, by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa.
The project is funded through a partnership between the African Development Bank, which is contributing 85 percent of the funds, and the Government of Uganda, which is providing the remaining 15 percent.
Samcrete Egypt Engineers and Contractors was awarded the contract, which was expected to be completed within 18 months, followed by a three-year maintenance period.
However, shortly after construction began, the contractor abandoned the site, leading to growing concerns among residents, leaders and tourism operators who rely on the road network.
The matter was raised in Parliament on July 8, 2026, by Ndorwa West Member of Parliament Eliab Naturinda Mporera during a sitting chaired by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa.
In response, Minister of Works and Transport Fred Byamukama said the government was taking steps to identify a new contractor after the company awarded the project failed to execute the works as expected.
Tourism stakeholders in Kigezi region welcomed the decision but urged government to move quickly to ensure the project resumes without further delays.
Engineer Ivan Mbabazi Batuma, Chairperson of the Kigezi Tourism Cluster, and Nicholas Byengoma, owner of Acadia Cottages, said the poor state of the road has affected tourism businesses and other economic activities.
“This road project was full of corruption. We ask how government awarded such a contractor the contract,” the stakeholders said.
They added that businesses and communities had continued to suffer losses due to the stalled works.
“We have counted losses ever since this road project started,” they said.
The stakeholders said the completion of the road would improve access to key tourism destinations, including areas around Lake Bunyonyi and Mgahinga, while supporting trade and local mobility.
Economic analyst Syson Mwebaze said awarding the contract to a company without sufficient capacity had exposed government to additional costs and prolonged delays.
“The delays could cost government more money if the project remains incomplete,” Mwebaze noted.
He said timely completion of major infrastructure projects is critical to avoiding cost overruns and ensuring value for public investment.
Kabale Resident District Commissioner Maj (Rtd) Godfrey Katamba said the government’s decision aligns with concerns raised by local authorities over the contractor’s performance.
He explained that local leaders had already written to the Ministry of Works and Transport requesting intervention.
“We wrote to the Ministry of Works and Transport requesting that the contractor be terminated,” Katamba said.
The Kabale–Lake Bunyonyi and Kisoro–Mgahinga roads are considered important infrastructure links for tourism, trade and community development in the Kigezi sub-region.
Stakeholders now want the process of selecting a new contractor completed quickly to prevent further losses and ensure the long-awaited road upgrades are delivered.