Kigezi leaders Urge President Museveni to fulfill promises ahead of his Campaign in the Region Next month
Stephen Kasyaba, the LCV Chairperson for Rubanda district, and Akifeza Grace Ngabirano Woman Member of Parliament for Kisoro district
What You Need to Know
- They noted that the rehabilitation and construction of these roads are long overdue, and the current pace of action is inadequate
Leaders in the Kigezi region in the southwestern Part of Uganda District, have expressed deep concern over the poor state of the road network—particularly roads leading to key tourism sites which they argue that the President should address during his campaign trail in the region next month .
They noted that the rehabilitation and construction of these roads are long overdue, and the current pace of action is inadequate
The Major tourism sites in Kigezi include the national parks of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which are famous for gorilla and golden monkey trekking, Lake Bunyonyi the second deepest in Africa and many others.
According to the Kisoro district Woman MP, Grace Akifeza Ngabirano , the district generates approximately 600 million daily, and improving the road infrastructure would significantly boost economic activity and revenue collection.
She further explained the need for diversification of agriculture, moving beyond local crops to advanced farming practices. He proposed the introduction of new crop varieties, particularly in the hilly areas where large portions of land remain underutilized.
In the health sector, she called for upgrading existing health facilities, improving medical supply chains, and ensuring that essential medicines are readily available in local health centers.
The Rubanda district LCV Chairperson, Stephen Kasyaba reiterated that tourism road rehabilitation must be prioritized, alongside improved disaster response mechanisms. He added that government should emphasize the need for decentralized funding to better respond to disasters, noting that the region is disaster-prone but lacks sufficient resources and equipment to clear and maintain roads.
Additionally, Kasyaba pointed out the strategic importance of the district’s iron ore deposits. He urged President Museveni and investors to fast-track plans for establishing an iron factory, adding that the district is ready to allocate land for this investment. He further expressed his disappointment about the poverty levels in the Region, calling for targeted interventions.
Asgario Turyagyenda the NRM flag bearer for Bukimbiri constituency echoed the call to rehabilitate tourism access roads, stressing that tourism remains a key economic driver for the region and has the potential to generate substantial revenue for the country. He further explained the importance of unity among party members, urging support for elected leaders and discouraging the rise of independent candidates that may fragment political efforts.
Meanwhile, Ronald Tindyebwa the assistant Tourism officer for the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and revealed that during the peak tourism season (Jude –September), the park receives about 80 tourists, mainly for gorilla trekking, birdwatching, nature walks, long forest walks, and the Batwa forest experience.
However, he acknowledged that poor access roads remain a major obstacle for both tourists and tour operators. He added that his office is working closely with the local government and the Ministry of Works and Transport to address the road network challenges to ensure visitors can easily access tourism sites.
“Improved road infrastructure will not only enhance the visitor experience but also strengthen the district’s position as a key tourism destination,” Tindyembwa said.
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