The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Henry Musasizi, has convened an urgent high-level meeting to address delays affecting the Kabale-Lake Bunyonyi and Kisoro-Mgahinga Road Upgrading Project, a key infrastructure initiative expected to boost tourism and economic development in the Kigezi sub-region.
The meeting is scheduled for Friday, August 7, 2026, at the Ministry of Finance boardroom in Kampala. It will bring together the Minister of Works and Transport, the Solicitor General, the African Development Bank (AfDB) Country Director, Members of Parliament from Greater Kabale, and local government leaders.
In a letter dated August 5, 2026, Musasizi said the meeting follows two earlier engagements held on June 30, 2026, at the Ministry of Finance and July 8, 2026, with the African Development Bank. Both discussions focused on persistent implementation delays and contract management challenges affecting the project.
According to the minister, the meeting is intended to resolve outstanding issues that have stalled implementation and agree on a roadmap for resuming construction works.
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"The meeting will review challenges affecting this critical project and agree on measures to resume works," Musasizi said.
The 34-kilometre Kabale-Lake Bunyonyi and Kisoro-Mgahinga road project was designed as a 36-month undertaking aimed at improving transport connectivity, enhancing service delivery, promoting tourism, and stimulating economic growth across the Kigezi region.
In addition to the main road, the project includes the construction of 6 kilometres of town roads, four ferry landing sites, two roadside markets, four farm produce storage facilities, and the extension of electricity to Bwama Island on Lake Bunyonyi.
The contract, valued at Shs112.03 billion, was awarded to Samcrete Egypt Engineers and Contractors. However, the contractor reportedly abandoned the Kabale-Lake Bunyonyi section several months after commencement, bringing construction to a halt for approximately three months.
The delays have attracted criticism from local leaders, residents and tourism operators, who say the project is critical to improving access to major tourism destinations, including Lake Bunyonyi and Mgahinga National Park.
The matter was recently raised in Parliament by Ndorwa West MP Eliab Naturinda Mporera, who questioned government over the slow progress of the works and the contractor's failure to continue construction.
Responding to the concerns, Minister of Works and Transport Fred Byamukama told Parliament that government is considering terminating the contract with Samcrete Egypt Engineers and Contractors due to non-performance.
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Friday's meeting is expected to provide government, development partners and local leaders with an opportunity to agree on practical solutions, including the resolution of contractual disputes and a clear roadmap for restarting the project.
Among those invited are Kabale Municipality MP Andrew Aja Baryayanga, Ndorwa East MP Protazio Begumisa, Ndorwa West MP Eliab Naturinda Mporera, Kabale District Woman MP Enid Atuheire Origumisiriza, Rubanda District Woman MP Evelyne Ninsiima Kikafunda, Rubanda West MP Bruce Balaba Kabaasa, Rukiga District Woman MP Sylvia Arinaitwe, and Rukiga County MP Patrick Katabazi.
Also invited are the LCV chairpersons of Kabale, Rubanda and Rukiga districts, as well as the Mayor of Kabale Municipality.
The outcome of the meeting is expected to determine the next steps in reviving the delayed infrastructure project, which remains a strategic investment for Kigezi because of its potential to transform transport, tourism and regional economic development.
