KISORO UGANDA: Tension is mounting among tourism operators and communities in Bukimbiri County, Kisoro District, following the reported deterioration of the Karengyere–Nyanamo–Rubuguri–Rushaga–Nkuringo road, which had been serving as an alternative route after the collapse of the Kisoro–Bukimbiri road at River Mucha Bridge.
The collapse of River Mucha Bridge last Friday disrupted direct access to the Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, raising concerns among tourism operators who depend on the route to transport visitors to the gorilla trekking destinations.
Some tourism vehicles have reportedly remained parked at hotels and campsites as operators struggle to adjust to the disruption.
The affected roads are particularly important to tourists combining visits to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with excursions to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Lake Mutanda, some of the major tourist attractions in the Kisoro area.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is internationally renowned for its endangered mountain gorillas and attracts visitors from across the world. Other tourism activities include gorilla habituation experiences, bird watching, guided forest walks and community cultural experiences.
On Saturday, October 10, 2026, the Ministry of Works and Transport issued a travel advisory confirming that the River Mucha Bridge crossing was impassable and announcing an emergency intervention.
The ministry advised motorists and tourists travelling from Kisoro to the Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors to use the alternative Karengyere–Nyanamo–Rubuguri–Rushaga–Nkuringo route.
The ministry described the diversion as a motorable murram road but warned that journeys could take approximately 30 to 45 minutes longer than usual.
However on Sunday, the situation has reportedly worsened following the deterioration of sections of the alternative route, particularly around culverts that local leaders say were recently constructed or renovated during the dry season to facilitate the drainage of rainwater.
Local leaders attribute the damage to several factors, including heavy trucks transporting iron ore from Bukimbiri, increased traffic and alleged construction weaknesses during the installation of drainage pipes.
The deterioration has raised fresh concerns about the quality of road works and the need for urgent intervention by the responsible authorities, including the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA).
Arinaitwe Methodius, the LCV councillor representing Nyanamo Town Council, has called for immediate intervention by the responsible authorities to restore the road and prevent further deterioration.
Arinaitwe criticised the contractor’s work on the culverts, saying some of the structures had reportedly lasted only a few days before developing problems.
Arinaitwe further expressed concern that authorities could wait until the deteriorating road caused fatalities before taking decisive action.
CUE IN ARINAITWE ON THE ROAD
Meanwhile, Kamusiime Juliet, the district youth councillor, has called for routine maintenance of the road, arguing that its importance to the tourism industry should make it a priority.
Kamusiime said the route supports tourism activities that generate revenue for the area and the wider economy, warning that poor road conditions could undermine the sector.
The councillor also criticised heavy trucks transporting iron ore from the area, alleging that the companies involved were damaging public roads without providing sufficient benefits to the affected communities.
Kamusiime questioned the absence of adequate royalties and corporate social responsibility initiatives benefiting local communities, despite the reported impact of mining-related traffic on the road network.
CUE IN KAMUSIIME ON SINO TRUCKS
Former Kisoro District LCV chairperson and Lifetime Honorary Wildlife Officer of Uganda, Abel Bizimana, has also expressed concern over the disruption, saying the deteriorating road network threatens tourism activities in the district.
Bizimana contrasted what he described as the quality and commitment of engineers in earlier years with the current performance of some contractors, raising concerns about workmanship and accountability in public road projects.
Bizimana warned that poor road infrastructure could damage Uganda’s tourism reputation, questioning how international visitors travelling long distances to see mountain gorillas would respond if they encountered impassable roads that threatened their planned excursions.
Bizimana has called on the Minister of Local Government, Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, during his visit to Kisoro, to investigate concerns surrounding the contractor handling the Karengyere–Nyanamo–Rubuguri–Rushaga–Nkuringo road and improve service delivery.
CUE IN BIZIMANA ON QUALITY OF WORK
The affected communities and tourism operators are now calling for urgent road repairs, improved supervision of contractors and routine maintenance to restore access to the affected tourism destinations.
For sure We the residents we don’t have anything to say inflation has even doubled . Due to cost push inflation