Uganda’s transport minister, Gen Katumba Wamala, has expressed concern over structural damage on a key road in the Bunyoro sub-region, warning that the affected section may require full reconstruction rather than routine maintenance.
The Hoima-Kaiso-Tonya Road, constructed by Turkish firm Kolin Construction Ltd between 2011 and 2014 at a cost of Shs314 billion and fully funded by the government, links Kaiso in Hoima District to Kyehooro in Kikuube District in the Albertine oil graben.
During an inspection tour on Friday, Gen Wamala said the road exhibited cracks and signs that ‘the entire earth mass may have shifted, similar to landslides experienced in Bududa District.’ He noted that technical experts are yet to determine the exact cause.
‘This road was constructed between 2011 and 2014, but during our inspection, we realized that there has been a failure of the road, which is not normal. We are trying to establish the cause,’ the minister said.
‘This situation does not call for maintenance. It may require total reconstruction. But before we recommend reconstruction, we must first establish the real cause of the problem,’ he added.
Gen Wamala also visited ongoing road projects critical for Uganda’s oil and transport sectors.
The 43-kilometre Kabwoya-Buhuka Road, connecting to the Kingfisher Oil Development Area in Kikuube District, is being upgraded to a Class II bitumen standard at a cost of Shs263 billion (about $ 71.2 million).
The road is being constructed by China Railway Seventh Group Co. Ltd and is currently 15 percent complete.
Project Manager Titus Alepele said the main challenge has been financial, with the contractor temporarily abandoning the site due to non-payment.
He added that the project is implemented under a pre-financing arrangement and expects progress to now accelerate.
The minister also inspected Kabalega International Airport in Hoima District, where he was told the facility is scheduled for handover on March 31 this year.
On Thursday, Gen Wamala visited the 105-kilometre Kamwenge-Kyenjojo-Kyegegwa Road, including the Kihura-Bwizi-Rwamwanja-Kahunge (68 km) and Mpara-Bwizi (38 km) sections, along with 20 kilometres of paved town roads.
Constructed by Arab Contractors (Osman Ahmed Osman and Co) at Shs463.7 billion from the Islamic Development Bank, the project is expected to be completed in three years.
The minister said the contractor is progressing well, but only 31 percent of land belonging to Project Affected Persons (PAPs) has been compensated, highlighting the need for the government to release funds to ensure timely completion.