In a bid to address the deteriorating state of the Masaka-Kyotera to Mutukula road, the government of Uganda has pledged to invest Shs 691 billion for its reconstruction.
This 89.5-kilometer road serves as a crucial trade route linking Uganda and Tanzania but has been plagued by huge potholes, hindering trade and movement between the two countries.
Prime Minister Robina Nabbanja officially launched the commencement of the project works on Wednesday in Kyotera town council, putting an end to years of anticipation by leaders and road users alike.
Under a 2-year pre-financing agreement with Chinese firm Chongqing International Construction Corporation-CICCO, the project has already begun, with an estimated completion time of four years.
Nabbanja expressed relief at the project finally coming to fruition, noting that the government had been seeking funds for its realization for quite some time.
She emphasized the potential of the reconstructed road to enhance trade between Uganda and Tanzania, urging the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) to oversee the project closely to ensure high-quality work.
Apart from the main highway, the project also encompasses the rehabilitation of the Nyendo-Villa Maria road (11 kilometres) and the paving of an additional 7 kilometres of access roads within Masaka city.
Minister of Works and Transport General Edward Katumba Wamala clarified that the roads would be upgraded to first-class Bitumen standards. He says that there would be no provisions for compensating individuals who encroached on road reserves. Instead, the contractor would focus on constructing walkways and installing streetlights in linear towns along the road.
Originally constructed in the 1960s and later rehabilitated in 2001, the Masaka-Kyotera-Mutukula highway has faced continuous deterioration over time, leading to protests by truck drivers and local leaders.
Members of Parliament Dr. Abed Bwanika and John Paul Lukwago emphasized the road’s significance for import and export trade and expressed relief at the government’s undertaking of this major project in the greater Masaka sub-region, alleviating pressure on local communities.
