Poor Roads Stifling Uganda's Tourism Boom

Uganda’s tourism sector is bouncing back impressively, drawing more than 1.3 million international visitors last year and raking in around $1.3 billion. This growth supports jobs, foreign exchange, and development, yet major hurdles persist.

The biggest issue? Shoddy roads linking prime attractions such as Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls, and the Rwenzori Mountains. These routes are often potholed, flood-prone, and neglected, turning trips into ordeals especially during rains.

Tour operators face extended travel times, soaring fuel bills, and constant breakdowns, while visitors endure discomfort that sours their Uganda experience. This not only cuts repeat visits but also makes the country less appealing against better-connected neighbors.

Businesses suffer too: lodges pay more to haul supplies, costs get passed to tourists, and locals miss out on craft sales or community tours. Investors shy away from unreliable access, stunting new developments and multi-site itineraries that could boost spending.

Experts point to misaligned planning, spotty maintenance, and climate woes like erosion. Solutions include dedicated budgets for tourism corridors, better tourism-transport teamwork, and resilient designs to treat these roads as economic lifelines.

Fixing them would elevate visitor satisfaction, unlock growth, and cement Uganda’s spot on the global stage. As Asuman Kabuzi from Makerere University Business School notes, the journey must match the destination’s allure.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)