Mpigi, Uganda: Thousands of motorists returning to Kampala from western Uganda were stranded for hours in what many described as an unprecedented traffic gridlock along the Masaka–Kampala highway, with some journeys stretching beyond 12 hours through Mpigi and neighbouring districts.
The massive traffic snarl that began on Monday evening persisted overnight into Tuesday morning, paralysing movement through Mpigi District, Butambala District, and surrounding areas as holiday and weekend travellers attempted to return to the capital.
“This was the longest traffic jam in the history of mankind,” said Peter Mugisha, a businessman who travelled with his family. “People slept in their cars, some ran out of fuel, and there was no movement for hours.”
Another motorist, David Ssekitoleko, said he entered Mpigi at around 4:00 pm on Monday but only reached Kampala at 7:00 am on Tuesday. “It was hell. From Mpigi, traffic completely stopped. We spent the whole night on the road,” he said. “By morning, people were tired, hungry and angry.”
Another motorist, Michael Agaba said “I’ve been here since 10PM. It’s now 8:45AM! What occasioned the diverting of the route? It can’t be the President because he left yesterday but 24 hours later we are still stuck!”
University student Sarah Nantongo, travelling by bus, said passengers were exhausted and helpless as vehicles remained stationary for long stretches. “At some point, the driver switched off the engine because we were not moving at all. We were stuck the whole evening and part of the night,” she said.
James Kato, another commuter, said the congestion stretched for kilometres, rendering even motorcycles ineffective. “It was bumper-to-bumper for as far as you could see. Even boda bodas could not squeeze through,” he said.
Complaints flooded social media platforms, including WhatsApp and X, throughout the night as stranded road users shared images and videos of the gridlock and lamented the lack of alternative routes.
Traffic Police, Works Ministry Respond
The Uganda Police Force, through its Traffic Directorate, issued an advisory directing motorists to use alternative routes.
“Due to heavy traffic congestion in Mpigi, motorists heading to Kampala have been diverted to use the Kasanje–Nakawuka route, while those traveling to Masaka are advised to use the Gomba–Sembabule route,” Traffic Police said.
The Ministry of Works and Transport also acknowledged the severe congestion in a statement issued Tuesday morning.
“Dear motorists, the existing travel alternatives, including Mpigi–Kasanji–Nakawuka to Entebbe/Kampala and Mpigi–Kanoni–Gomba–Ssembabule–Villamaria for traffic heading to Masaka, are beginning to offer some traffic relief,” the ministry said, adding that Traffic Police had been deployed to stabilise flow.
Political Blame as Motorists Suffer
Several motorists, mostly opposition-leaning, blamed the gridlock on political rallies held in the Mpigi and Butambala areas on Monday, arguing that roadside gatherings worsened already heavy traffic.
The National Unity Platform (NUP) president, Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, weighed in on the congestion via his social media platforms on Tuesday.
“Pole sana to all citizens who spent the night on Kampala–Masaka Road… A journey that should ordinarily take two hours taking close to 20 hours,” Kyagulanyi wrote. “Why? Because Dictator Museveni blocked sections of the road for hours as he campaigned in Mpigi.”
NUP spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi echoed the accusation, claiming campaign activities disrupted traffic flow.
Another NUP supporter, only identified as Ronald, added, “40yrs of poor planning. Ugandans shouldn’t suffer to this extent. The money stolen annually is very enough to fix this mess. How can we be having single lane colonial gauge meter lanes for 50m people?”
However, government officials dismissed the claims, saying no roads were blocked during the campaign. “Yes, the rally was held near the roadside, but there was no traffic congestion around the area,” a government official said.
“Museveni is against blocking main roads when campaigning. Even when holding roadside rallies, vehicles are allowed to move.”
The official added that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni left the Mpigi rally by air at around 6:00 pm on Monday, ruling out prolonged road closures linked to his convoy.
But the Ministry of Works would later, in its statement, apologize to motorists for the inconvenience and urged drivers to keep to their lanes as traffic gradually eased later on Tuesday morning.
The incident has once again highlighted persistent congestion challenges on Uganda’s major highways, driven by increasing vehicle numbers, limited alternative routes, roadside activities and peak travel periods, especially along corridors linking Kampala to western and southern Uganda.
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