Kanungu Residents Voice Frustration Over Degraded Bwindi Tourism Road

The main road leading to the renowned Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Kanungu District is in disrepair, causing significant distress among locals and impacting the vital tourism sector. The 44-kilometer Kanyantorogo–Buhoma–Bwindi road, notorious for its numerous potholes, becomes nearly impassable during rainy seasons.

This deteriorating infrastructure has become a safety hazard, with residents staging protests on June 5 to highlight the frequent accidents. The tragic death of an American tourist, Harrison Shuldman, in January 2025, after his vehicle lost control on the road, underscores the severity of the issue. More recently, a truck driver named Philip Mukunya lost his life when his iron ore transport vehicle overturned on the same stretch.

Local businesses are also feeling the economic pinch. Jacqueline Musimanta, a vendor of agricultural produce, explained that food trucks can only carry half loads to navigate the rough terrain. This necessity doubles transportation costs, leading to substantial financial losses for farmers and vendors alike.

Moses Bashaija, the Mayor of Buhoma Town Council, noted that tourists themselves are voicing their concerns, questioning why a route generating significant revenue through gorilla trekking permits remains in such poor condition. Beyond tourism, the road’s state hampers trade, especially for heavy vehicles transporting goods, which struggle to reach Buhoma and surrounding areas during the wet season.

Local leaders, including Kanungu District Chairperson Francis Byamukama Kapesha and area MP James Ruugi Kaberuka, acknowledge the problem and claim to have repeatedly raised it with the Ministry of Works. However, despite numerous efforts and promises from MPs Patience Kinshaba Nkunda and James Ruugi Kaberuka to escalate the matter, no tangible action has been taken to rehabilitate this critical tourism artery. They continue to pledge their commitment to pushing the government for urgent repairs.