Access to Mount Elgon and essential services in parts of Bududa District is expected to improve following the start of rehabilitation works on the five-kilometre Bushiyi trail. The trail provides a shorter route from Bushiyi to Wagagai, the highest peak of Mount Elgon, but its poor condition has made it difficult for tourists, farmers and other travellers to use the route.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), which is supporting the rehabilitation, says the works are intended to improve accessibility and boost tourism in the area. Speaking at the launch of the works, UWA administrator Godfrey Matanda said rehabilitating the trail would make the area more accessible to visitors and improve connectivity for communities along the route.
For residents, however, the project is about more than tourism. Apollo Mangula, the councillor representing Bushiyi Sub-county, said the district had previously started work on the road but stopped before completing it, affecting movement and service delivery. Mangula said the UWA intervention would make it easier for residents to access essential services while also opening up the area to more visitors.
Alex Murami, the Bududa District secretary for production, who represented LC V chairperson Geoffrey Natubu, called for quality work to ensure value for money. Murami urged local leaders to closely monitor the project and ensure the works are carried out according to the required standards.
Bududa District engineer Tom Shibale said the project was being implemented with support from UWA under a force account arrangement. He said there was no private contractor for the works, with UWA providing fuel and facilitating engineers to supervise the rehabilitation. Shibale said the intervention was intended to improve transport and accessibility for communities along the route.
Suzan Mutali, who represented the Chief Administrative Officer, called for close coordination between residents and UWA to ensure the works are implemented smoothly and meet the required standards. Isaac Modoi, the Lutseshe County legislator and chairperson of the Bududa District roads committee, said improved accessibility would particularly benefit farmers in hard-to-reach communities. He said better road access would make it easier for farmers to transport their agricultural produce to markets.
Bududa Deputy Resident District Commissioner Ibrahim Mukamba said the works had already started and were expected to be completed within one week, given the pace of implementation. Mukamba urged the relevant authorities to ensure the project is properly implemented so that both residents and visitors can benefit from the improved route.
Residents who spoke to our reporter welcomed the rehabilitation, saying the improved road would make it easier to access markets, health facilities and other essential services. They also said better road access would help children reach school on time, particularly those travelling from communities that have been affected by poor road conditions. Once completed, the rehabilitation is expected to improve connectivity, support tourism activities and ease the movement of people and agricultural produce along the Bushiyi route-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
