Residents of Buhoma Town Council in Kanungu District have asked the government to urgently repair the Kanyantorogo–Buhoma–Bwindi tourism road, saying its poor condition is hurting tourism, trade, and road safety.
The 44-kilometre road connects communities to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, one of Uganda’s key tourism destinations.
Residents say the road is filled with potholes and becomes difficult to use when it rains. They argue that the poor state of the route has disrupted business and exposed road users to accidents.
On June 5, some residents staged a protest over the condition of the road. They said the route has become dangerous for tourists, traders, boda boda riders, and transporters.
Residents Cite Accidents and Business Losses
The residents pointed to past accidents on the road, including the January 2025 death of American tourist Harrison Shuldman.
They said he died after the vehicle he was travelling in from Bwindi National Park lost control at Kakureiju.
Residents also cited a recent incident in which a truck transporting iron ore overturned at the same section, killing driver Philip Mukunya.
Mr Agaba Twinomujuni, 36, a boda boda rider in Buhoma Town Council, said residents have repeatedly raised the matter with leaders.
“Every time we get a chance to meet our leaders both at local and national levels, we inform them about the sorry state of this road, but they have completely kept a deaf ear to this problem,’’ Mr Twinomujuni said.
Ms Jacqueline Musimanta, 34, a matooke vendor, said the bad road has made it harder and more expensive to transport agricultural produce to markets.
“Because of the appalling state of this road, food trucks are forced to load half their capacity so that they can manoeuvre through the rough road, and this results in a lot of money being lost because at times we are forced to load two trucks to transport food stuff that were supposed to be transported by one truck,’’ she said.
Tourism Operators Also Affected
Buhoma Town Council Mayor Moses Bashaija said tourists visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park have also complained about the road.
He said the park receives about 80 international visitors daily, making the road important for Uganda’s tourism industry.
“Many tourists question why such an important tourism route remains in a dire condition despite the significant revenue generated through gorilla tracking permits,” Mr Bashaija said.
He added that the poor road also affects trade during the rainy season.
“Beyond tourism, the sorry state of this road disrupts trade, especially during the rainy season when heavy vehicles transporting goods from Kihihi Town Council struggle to access Buhoma and surrounding areas,’’ he said.
Leaders Promise to Push Government
Kanungu District chairperson Francis Byamukama Kapesha said he had informed the Ministry of Works and Transport about the condition of the road.
He expressed hope that the matter would be addressed quickly.
Kinkizi West MP James Ruugi Kaberuka said he had repeatedly raised the road issue in Parliament.
‘‘This is a tourism road which needs to be regularly maintained, but I wonder why it is not, and for your information, I have tabled this road on the floor of Parliament over 10 times, and the government is aware of its state,” Mr Kaberuka said.
He promised to continue pushing for government action.
‘‘I will visit the minister of Works and Transport and inform him about the sorry state of this road,’’ Mr Kaberuka said.
Kanungu District Woman MP Patience Kinshaba Nkunda also promised to push the government to repair the road.
Residents say urgent intervention is needed to protect lives, support tourism, and reduce transport costs for farmers and traders who depend on the route.