The government of Uganda has once again come under pressure from residents of Bududa District over the delayed tarmacking of the 28-kilometre Bubulo–Bududa Circular Road, a key economic and humanitarian route that has remained in poor condition for over 40 years despite repeated promises.
This followed a petition by a group of concerned citizens, under the umbrella of the Daughters and Sons of Bududa, to the government through the Office of the National Chairman (ONC), seeking urgent intervention to upgrade the road linking Bududa to Manafwa and the Wagagai tourism corridor in Kenya
Led by Mr. Joseph Wasabula Massa, Chairperson of the Task Force for Tarmacking the Bubulo–Bududa Circular Road, the delegation met Senior Presidential Advisor and Chief Muzzukulu, Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo, at her office in Kampala, decrying what they termed “infrastructure injustice” against Bududa residents.
“Our people have waited patiently for over four decades. The road has been included in at least three NRM manifestos, budgeted for, and promised countless times — yet not a single kilometre has been worked on,” Mr. Massa said.
He added that the poor state of the road has crippled trade, access to health services, and disaster response in a district prone to frequent landslides.
Mr. Massa explained that Bududa, one of the region’s major food-producing areas, continues to lose millions in agricultural output as trucks ferrying cabbages, bananas, and other produce get stuck in the mud for days. “The economic and social cost is unbearable,” he said.
The delegation further raised concerns over a bridge leading to Bududa Hospital, which was washed away by floods two years ago and has never been reconstructed. The hospital remains the only major health facility serving Bududa, Manafwa, and Namisindwa districts.
In response, Hajjat Namyalo acknowledged the long-standing concern and pledged to escalate the matter to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the relevant ministries.
“This issue is not new, and it’s high time it is resolved. The President has always emphasised that roads are key enablers of value addition and transformation,” she said.
She commended the group for choosing dialogue over confrontation.
“You have done well to follow the proper channels. I assure you that the ONC will follow up on this matter until it reaches the highest level,” Namyalo added.
Mr. Kutosi Derrick, one of the delegates, reaffirmed the community’s support for the NRM government but demanded equitable service delivery.
“Bududa gave over 90 percent of its votes to the NRM in the last election. Our loyalty should be reflected in the roads, hospitals, and other basic services we receive,” he said, appealing for the project’s reinstatement in the 2025/26 national budget.
Meanwhile, in a letter dated August 7, 2025, the Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, confirmed that a commercial contract for the road was signed on May 9, 2024, but financial negotiations are still ongoing.
“Implementation will commence once these are concluded,” Gen. Katumba noted, adding that the project was not included in the 2025/26 national budget because it remains at the preparatory stage.
Bududa remains the only district in the Bugisu Sub-region without a tarmacked road, despite being a major agricultural hub and home to significant tourism sites such as the Bududa Caves and the Wagagai Peak trails of Mt. Elgon.
