In Mukono, Museveni pledges new road links to decongest Kampala

MUKONO - President Yoweri Museveni has pledged continued investment in road infrastructure in Mukono district and surrounding areas as part of a broader strategy to decongest Kampala city, improve the movement of people and goods, and support economic transformation.

He revealed this while addressing a large campaign rally at St Joseph’s Secondary School, Naggalama Grounds in Mukono on Friday (January 2), just under two weeks before polling day.

National Resistance Movement (NRM) leader Museveni, the incumbent in an eight-strong presidential race, is seeking a seventh term of office.

Polling will take place on January 15.

In Mukono, Museveni was accompanied by the First Lady and the Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, senior party leaders, Cabinet ministers, and NRM mobilizers from the Buganda region.

He said his government is prioritizing the construction of alternative road corridors that bypass Kampala to alleviate chronic traffic congestion in the capital.

“We need roads that allow vehicles to avoid Kampala city altogether. Because of the heavy traffic, we want most of the cars to pass on roads outside Kampala, instead of all traffic being forced to go through the city.”

Museveni said the government has already invested heavily in major highwaysand will continue upgrading strategic road links connecting Mukono to neighbouring districts.

“We started with major roads like Kampala–Jinja, which has been repaired several times, and we are doing it again. We have already completed the Mukono–Kampala section, and we shall finish the remaining part from Mukono to Jinja."

He listed additional roads that have either been completed or expanded to improve regional connectivity, including the Kayunga–Kangulumira–Jinja Road, the Mukono–Katosi (Bakunja) Road, and the Kayunga–Baale–Galiraya Road.

“These roads are all part of our plan to improve transport and trade while reducing pressure on Kampala."

President Museveni who is also the NRM Presidential candidate accompanied by First Lady Janet Museveni waves to his supporters as he arrives at Naggalama in Mukono district to address his campaign rally on Friday. (Credit: PPU)

'In our plan'

Earlier, Mukono district NRM chairperson Hajji Haruna Ssemakula had raised concerns over persistent traffic congestion along the Mukono–Kampala corridor and had appealed for more feeder and connecting roads.

He specifically cited the need for the Misindye–Kiyunga–Naggalama–Zirobwe Road, which he said would provide an alternative route for motorists and traders.

In response, the President assured residents that such roads are already included in the government’s infrastructure plans.

“The road mentioned by the NRM chairman is in our plan. We need roads connecting Mukono to places like Zirobwe, Seeta, Namugongo, and Nansana, so that traffic does not have to pass through Kampala.”

The NRM presidential candidate also reflected on the changing dynamics of the Northern Bypass, noting that urban expansion has overtaken earlier planning assumptions.

“We worked on the Northern Bypass thinking Kampala would remain south of it. But Kampala expanded beyond it. The Northern Bypass is now the central bypass."