KAMPALA,UGANDA – Government has cleared the Shs249 billion contract for the rehabilitation of the critical Ishaka-Bushenyi-Kabwohe-Mbarara road.
The 48km road, which is the economic lifeline of Greater Bushenyi, connects Ishaka and Bushenyi Town through Kabwohe to Mbarara City. It facilitates movement of milk, matooke, tea, coffee, traders, students to KIU and MUST, and patients to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital.
For over ten years, the road has been in a deplorable state, riddled with potholes, doubling transport costs and causing frequent vehicle breakdowns, affecting farmers, boda boda riders and traders.
The contract has now been awarded to China Railway 18th Group. Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Ruhinda North MP, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, confirmed that the Solicitor General has given final clearance for works to commence.
Deputy Speaker Rt Hon Thomas Tayebwa.
According to records of the 2021-2026 term, Bushenyi District Woman MP, Hon. Katusiime Annet Mugisha, consistently lobbied for the road on the floor of Parliament, during budget debates for the Ministry of Works and Transport, and before the Committee on Physical Infrastructure.
Hon Katusiime Annet Mugisha.
In one of her engagements, Hon. Katusiime told officials from the former Uganda National Roads Authority – UNRA that the road had become a death trap, calling for urgent intervention.
Residents have welcomed the development, describing it as a major relief and a key deliverable for the district ahead of the end of the current term.
Once completed, the road is expected to reduce transport costs, ease movement of goods and people, and boost trade between Bushenyi and Mbarara City.
Story By: Moses Bwengye (Panadol ya’ Bushenyi).
