MILLY BABIRYE BABALANDA: Mbulamuti–Kamuli–Bukungu Road to Transform Busoga’s Economic Fortunes

What the report says

Watchdog Uganda reports that the planned Mbulamuti–Kamuli–Bukungu road in eastern Uganda is moving closer to construction after Parliament approved a government request to borrow funds for the project. The article is written by Milly Babirye Babalanda, the Minister for the Presidency and MP for Budiope West in Buyende District, who says the road has been awaited for about 25 years since it was first promised by President Yoweri Museveni in 2001.

According to the piece, the financing would support upgrading the 127-kilometre road and about 10 kilometres of roads in Jinja City, while also covering land compensation and project supervision. Babalanda argues the route is more than a transport link for Busoga, saying it could improve access between Jinja, Kamuli, Mbulamuti and Bukungu, while also strengthening connections to northern, eastern and central Uganda. She says this could reduce travel time, lower transport costs, help farmers move produce to market, and support trade, tourism and local business activity.

The article also says the road is important for access to attractions such as Itanda Falls and Kyabirwa on the River Nile, and for communities in Buyende and nearby districts. Babalanda praises Parliament and the National Economy Committee for backing the borrowing request.

As background, road upgrades in Uganda are often presented by officials as part of broader efforts to improve trade corridors and regional development. In this case, the article emphasizes that construction still depends on borrowing, compensation and oversight, and urges vigilance to ensure the project is delivered transparently and to standard.