Infrastructure Boost: 38.2km Road to Enhance Uganda-DRC Trade Connectivity

President Yoweri Museveni officiated at the groundbreaking ceremony for the rehabilitation of the 38.2-kilometer Kikorongo-Bwera-Mpondwe Road in Kasese District.

The Kikorongo-Bwera-Mpondwe Road is expected to facilitate easier movement of goods and services, particularly along the Uganda-DRC border, and stimulate trade and investment in the region.

Addressing the people of Kasese, President Museveni emphasized four key pillars to drive development and improve livelihoods in the region.

The President highlighted the need for sustained peace, noting that development can only be achieved in a stable environment. He urged residents to remain committed to peace and unity as a catalyst for growth.

President Museveni underscored that development projects like road construction mean little if individuals continue to live in poverty. He challenged locals to embrace wealth creation at the household level, urging them to actively seek ways to generate income.

With Kasese’s mountainous terrain, the President called on residents to utilise their limited land more effectively. He advised them to adopt modern farming techniques and focus on high-value crops that can yield greater profits on small plots of land.

Museveni warned against encroaching on natural resources, particularly forests and parks, which are critical to tourism and environmental stability. He linked deforestation and land degradation to natural disasters like landslides, which have repeatedly affected the region.

The President also attended a thanksgiving ceremony in honor of Gen. Wilson Mbadi, Chief of Defence Forces, and Hon. Godfrey Kabyanga, Minister of ICT and National Guidance. Both officials hail from Kasese, and their ministerial appointments were celebrated as a testament to their hard work and dedication to national service.

The President’s visit was seen as a morale boost for the people of Kasese, who welcomed the government’s commitment to infrastructure development, environmental protection, and economic empowerment.

The road, which serves as a vital link between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has long been in a state of disrepair, with numerous potholes and dangerous sections causing frequent accidents and delays.

Eliphazi Muhindi, the Kasese District LC5 chairperson said that the road will boost local trade and improve revenue in the region.

“This is going to improve our people’s livelihoods and incomes. Kasese produces a lot of goods and merchandise that are sent to Congo, while Congo supplies rice, palm oil, and tengi to Uganda. This road will enhance trade, making it faster and easier for us to transport goods and reach our destinations on time.”he said

He mentioned the struggles they faced before the project, noting how poor road conditions had led to significant economic losses and frequent vehicle damage.

“We have been passing on this road daily, but you couldn’t even drive on it a second time due to the potholes. Many vehicles carrying goods were involved in accidents because of the state of the road,” he explained.

The Kikorongo-Bwera-Mpondwe Road is expected to revolutionize transportation in the region, facilitating trade and increasing connectivity with the DRC. The improved road will reduce transit times and improve access to markets, which many believe will uplift household incomes and contribute to regional development.

Residents expressed gratitude for the President’s visit and commitment to the project, describing it as a turning point for Kasese’s economic future.