Kayunga, Uganda: President Yoweri Museveni on Friday officially commissioned construction works for the tarmacking of Kayunga-Bbaale-Galiraya Road, a long-awaited transport corridor linking Central and Northern Uganda, cutting travel distance to Kampala by nearly half.
The 87km road, which connects Kayunga Town to Galiraya on the shores of Lake Kyoga, is expected to significantly reduce travel time from Northern Uganda to Kampala, from 200 miles to just 100 miles, according to the President.
“Today, I officially commissioned the Kayunga–Bbaale–Galiraya Road, which will reduce the journey from Northern Uganda to Kampala from 200 miles to 100, a crucial connection for our people,” Museveni said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) shortly after commissioning the project.
“I thank the residents of Kayunga for their patriotism in offering land without compensation to expedite this project. This demonstrates their understanding of ekibaro, the smart calculation,” he added.
The Kayunga–Galiraya stretch, which traverses Bbaale County, has for years remained in a dilapidated state, frustrating transportation of agricultural produce and hindering economic activity. The project is part of Uganda’s ongoing strategic investments to link rural regions to urban markets through infrastructure.
Speaking at the function, officials noted that the road will not only ease movement for traders and farmers but also connect communities to emerging economic zones around Lake Kyoga and Central Uganda.
Years of Delay, Now Reality
The road has long been a political pressure point in Kayunga District. Leaders and residents had, over the years, protested its delay, citing failed promises and stalled funding negotiations. According to reports, the project’s take-off had been delayed by funding bottlenecks involving external partners, including China Exim Bank and India Exim Bank.
Local leaders praised the President’s intervention in prioritizing the road’s completion, which now aligns with the NRM government’s 2021–2026 infrastructure agenda.
Kayunga Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Ms Mariam Seguya said the new road will serve as a vital link for goods moving between the central districts of Uganda and northern routes toward Amolatar, Lira, and beyond.
“This is a strategic artery not just for Kayunga, but for the entire nation. Farmers from Galiraya and Bbaale now have quicker access to Kampala’s markets, and this will improve their incomes,” she said.
Future Tourism Potential
Local leaders say the road’s completion has reignited plans to introduce a ferry service from Galiraya across Lake Kyoga to Amolatar, enhancing regional connectivity and opening opportunities for tourism.
“This road will boost both agro-commerce and domestic tourism. Galiraya, for instance, has untapped eco-tourism potential that was simply inaccessible due to poor roads,” said Bbaale County MP Charles Tebandeke.
The project, DailyExpress understands, will be undertaken by China and Bridge Corporation, a Chinese firm, according to the Ministry of Works and Transport, and comes after the recent completion of the tarmacking of the Kayunga-Busaana Road, which has improved connectivity and trade between Kayunga and neighbouring Kamuli District.
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