Politics 1 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Buhweju's 40-Year Wait for Tarmac Roads Continues Amidst Unfulfilled Promises
Residents and leaders in Buhweju, the only tarmac-free district in Ankole, are urging President Museveni to fulfill a nearly 40-year-old promise to pave their roads, citing severe economic and safety impacts. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/buhweju-ankole-s-only-tarmac-free-district-demands-end-to-40-year-infrastructure-neglect-5579038
For nearly four decades, the people of Buhweju District have been waiting for the fulfillment of a promise made by President Yoweri Museveni himself to tarmac their roads. Despite being a key area during the NRA’s liberation struggle, Buhweju remains the sole district in the Ankole region without any paved roads, hindering its significant potential in agriculture, mining, and tourism.
Buhweju West MP, Mr. Koy Kariisa, stated that the pledge dates back to 1985, when the President allegedly promised road development in the district. He pointed out that other regions, like Kiruhura and Bundibugyo, have seen their road networks upgraded to tarmac while Buhweju continues to be overlooked.
District leaders have recently petitioned the Minister of Local Government to remind the President of this crucial infrastructure need. Buhweju District Chairperson, Mr. Deo Atuhaire, recalled a pledge made by the President in 1987, shortly after taking power, but lamented that it remains just a promise.
Beyond the road issue, Mr. Atuhaire also highlighted other critical needs, including upgrading the Nsiika Health Center IV to a district hospital and addressing the low salaries of political leaders, which he believes impacts good governance and the fight against corruption.
Women MP for Buhweju, Ms. Annet Oyes Byamukama, emphasized how the poor road network devalues local produce and labor, making it difficult for farmers to transport their harvests like Hass avocados to markets. She also noted that the inaccessible terrain deters investors in the district’s rich mineral deposits.
For ordinary citizens, the lack of proper roads translates into daily struggles. Motorists face constant vehicle breakdowns and high maintenance costs due to deep potholes and mud. Residents also fear for their safety, as vehicles frequently get stuck or forced off the narrow, hazardous routes, endangering pedestrians and passengers, especially during the rainy season.
The stalled road construction plans have also created an economic paralysis, with residents like Mr. Felix Kakuru expressing frustration over land freezes along proposed routes that have seen no construction activity for years, preventing them from utilizing their own property.
Source: Daily Monitor