The government has commissioned road projects connecting Kasese District to Katunguru, an area on the southern banks of the Kazinga Channel, which links Lake George with Lake Edward.
The road projects include the 58 kilometres of a stretch that starts at Hima Town and traverses through Kasese Municipality, Queen Elizabeth National Park and ends at Katunguru Bridge.
The 170 billion Shillings project was completed as part of the efforts to develop infrastructure and address key bottlenecks that were hampering the mobility of tourists to Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is also expected to improve regional movements within South-western Uganda and international linkage through Kikorongo-Mpondwe on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Before the rehabilitation and reconstruction, the two strategic roads were in a deplorable state with deep potholes and dust which was always a source of complaints from the business community and tourists. The road has now been paved with first-class asphalt and improved drainage channels while nearly five kilometres of it in the municipality, is also laid with modern markings and solar street lights.
The State Minister for ICT and National Guidance Godfrey Kabyanga Kiime urged residents to utilize the roads to improve their general livelihood. He said the government has played its role by constructing roads and it is now upon the local community to put them to proper use. Kabyanga also cautioned local leaders in the district against personalizing government projects.
Kasese District Chairperson Geoffrey Muhindi urged the locals to be proactive in creating opportunities for themselves but also use the road responsibly and protect the assets. He also asked the government to continue considering local companies when issuing out tenders so that they can have both direct and indirect benefits.
Kasese Municipality Mayor Chance Kahindo, however, asked the government to increase the current allocation under the Road Fund so that the roads can be maintained.
Eng. Joseph Otim, the representative from UNRA was concerned about the rampant theft of road signs asking local authorities to make and pass by-laws to manage such infrastructure.
Benard Byarugaba, a resident of Kasese town hailed the development as a key pillar for economic boost economic activities as well as improving the security of life and property in the area.
UNRA also plans to build the road from Kikorongo to the Mpondwe border.
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