Mpigi, Uganda: State House has dismissed claims circulating on social media that linked President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to the record-breaking traffic gridlock that paralysed the Masaka–Kampala highway in Mpigi, saying the congestion was caused by heavy traffic volumes, a truck accident and motorist indiscipline, not presidential movements.
The clarification follows hours of intense online backlash, during which opposition leaders, activists and stranded road users took to platforms including X and WhatsApp to blame the overnight standstill on President Museveni’s convoy, shortly after he addressed an evening campaign rally in Mpigi on Monday.
Some opposition figures including NUP President alleged that roads were blocked to facilitate the President’s post-rally departure, with claims that his convoy and roadside engagements brought traffic to a halt. Several motorists echoed the accusations, posting images and videos of immobile traffic and describing journeys that stretched beyond 12 hours.
In response, the Presidential Press Unit issued a statement on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, dismissing the claims as misleading and politically motivated.
“We have taken note of false claims attributing the traffic gridlock experienced last night along the Kampala–Masaka Road to H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s convoy,” the statement said.
“While delays are regrettable, it is inaccurate and misleading to place responsibility on the President’s convoy.”
State House stressed that presidential movements involve very limited and time-bound road closures, which are standard practice worldwide and are coordinated to minimise disruption.
According to the statement, the gridlock resulted from a convergence of factors, chief among them heavy end-of-month holiday traffic, as thousands of motorists returned to Kampala from upcountry destinations.
The situation was further worsened by poor road discipline, with some drivers creating illegal lanes that blocked traffic in both directions, as well as adverse weather conditions, including a heavy downpour that reduced visibility and slowed movement.
Crucially, State House cited a truck–lorry crash at Lungala, which temporarily cut off the road, and a broken-down trailer near Kamengo, both of which significantly contributed to the prolonged congestion.
“Significant overnight delays occurred at the same time last year, when there were no presidential campaigns in districts along the route,” the statement added, warning against politicising traffic incidents.
The PPU statement would later be corroborated by Traffic Police Spokesperson Michael Kananura who said that the gridlock stemmed from high traffic volumes, accidents, and indiscipline among motorists, not presidential movements.
“The crash at Lungala and the broken-down trailer around Kamengo temporarily cut off the road. Motorists also created illegal lanes, blocking traffic in both directions,” Kananura said, adding that officers later restored order and traffic flow.
Kananura urged motorists to exercise patience and lane discipline, especially during festive travel peaks and unpredictable weather.
State House called on the public to consider the full context of the incident and cautioned against drawing conclusions based on social media narratives alone.
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