Bududa remains the only district in the Bugisu Sub-region without a tarmacked road, despite being the region’s food basket and home to major tourism attractions like Wagagai Peak and the Bududa Caves.
Kampala, Uganda: A delegation of patriotic leaders from Bududa District has appealed to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, demanding the urgent intervention in the long-overdue tarmacking of the 28km Bubulo–Bududa Circular Road, which they say has remained impassable for decades despite repeated presidential pledges and inclusion in successive NRM Manifestos.
The delegation, led by Counsel Joseph Wasabula Massa, revealed this while handing their petition to Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo, the Senior Presidential Advisor on Political Affairs and Chief Muzzukulu, at her office in Kyambogo on Tuesday. Other local representatives who accompanied Massa included Betty Namomi (“Scientist”), Kutosi Derrick, and Wakikona Jane, a sister to former Minister David Wandendeya Wakikona.
Locals Demand Action, Not Promises
During the visit, Mr Massa told the Chief Muzzukulu that the Bududa Circular Road, which connects Bududa to Manafwa and serves as a key economic and humanitarian route to Kenya’s Wagagai tourism corridor, has been neglected for over 40 years.
“Our people have waited patiently. The road has appeared in budget framework papers and NRM manifestos for three consecutive terms, yet not a single kilometre has been tarmacked,” Mr Massa lamented.
He said the poor road condition continues to cripple agricultural trade and service delivery in the mountainous district. “Bududa is one of Uganda’s food baskets, supplying Kenya and Tanzania, but trucks transporting cabbages and coffee often get stuck for days. The economic loss is immense,” he added.
Locals protest at a flooded section of the Bubulo-Bududa Circular Road in Bududa District on August 21, 2025. PHOTO/FRED WAMBEDE
The delegation also raised humanitarian concerns brought about by the poor road network, citing that the bridge leading to Bududa Hospital, the only referral facility serving Bududa, Manafwa, and Namisindwa, was washed away by floods two years ago and has never been rebuilt to date, stranding patients and schoolchildren during rains.
In her response, Hajjat Namyalo assured the delegation that their concerns would be escalated to President Yoweri Museveni and the relevant ministries. “This matter has taken too long. Roads are the foundation for transformation, and the President has consistently emphasized value addition, which is impossible without access to markets,” she said.
She urged locals to stay united and avoid politicizing the matter. “You’ve done the right thing by raising this peacefully. The President encourages citizens to speak out on service delivery,” she added.
Despite their alarming concerns, the Bududa bazzukulu reaffirmed their loyalty to the ruling NRM government, but urged that their decades of support should be matched with tangible service delivery. “Bududa gave the NRM over 90% support in the last election. We are not opposition; we only ask that government’s actions reflect our loyalty,” said Kutosi, another leader of the task force.
They requested that the road be reinstated in the 2025/26 national budget and that UNRA and the Ministry of Works prioritize its rehabilitation. As a temporary measure, they proposed marram and drainage works to restore access while awaiting full funding.
What is Government’s position?
A letter seen by DailyExpress dated August 7, 2025, from Works and Transport Minister Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala to the Bududa District LC5 Chairperson, confirmed that while a contract for the project was signed in May 2024, financial negotiations are still ongoing and therefore the project could not be included in the current Financial Year.
“Implementation will commence upon successful conclusion of these financial discussions. The project was not included in the FY 2025/2026 national budget as it remains in the preparatory stage,” the letter, copied to the Prime Minister, the Finance Minister, and Bududa’s Members of Parliament, reads in part.
President Museveni has on several occasions promised to tarmac the Bubulo–Bududa Circular Road. In a December 12, 2024, tweet, he said: “We are in the process of repairing most roads in the area. The Mbale–Bubulo–Magale–Lwakhakha up to Bududa Circular Road, as well as the Bubulo–Bududa Circular Road, will be worked on commencing early next year.”
However, nearly a year later, no construction has begun — leaving residents disillusioned.
A District Left Behind
Bududa remains the only district in the Bugisu sub-region without a single tarmacked road. Average annual income per capita stands at just $300 (Shs1 million), compared to the national average of $700 (Shs2.4 million). About 43% of residents live in extreme poverty, earning below $1.90 (Shs3,900) a day.
“Bududa is the only district in Bugisu without a tarmacked road. That shows total neglect,” said Mr. Massa, adding that the poor road network has worsened poverty and service delivery in the area.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
