A wave of optimism is sweeping through Mpatta Sub County in Mukono District as the local government embarks on the construction of a 7.8-kilometer road stretch linking Mpatta to Buule landing site.
The project, valued at 35.7 billion shillings, is part of the larger 18.5-kilometer Ntenjeru-Buule road earmarked for tarmacking under the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Urban Development Program funded by the World Bank.
The contract was awarded to China Railway No.5 Engineering Group Company Limited and is expected to be completed within 18 months.
Local leaders believe the new road will transform the face of the Lake Victoria peninsula and open up a new economic corridor for Mukono District.
Mukono District Engineer Herbert Lutwama said the new road will not only improve local access but also ease the traffic burden on the busy Kampala to Jinja highway.
“The uniqueness of this route is that it connects Mukono through Buule landing site to Ggaba in just about 1.2 kilometers across the lake,” Lutwama explained. “We are suggesting that instead of introducing a ferry, government should consider constructing a bridge to link Mukono to Ggaba directly.”
Lutwama noted that a bridge would provide a permanent and cost-effective transport link, unlike ferries that operate for limited hours and require high annual maintenance costs estimated at 3 billion shillings.
During the project handover, Monica Edemachu, the Under Secretary at the Ministry of Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, urged the contractor to ensure quality and timely delivery for the benefit of the local community.
“There were delays in the preparation, but the same contractor will handle the remaining section. We expect Mukono District Local Government to fast track implementation so that both sections are completed at the same time,” she said.
The Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Minsa Kabanda, echoed the call for integrity and warned against corruption which often undermines government projects.
“Our contractor must work hand in hand with the community. This is a government project meant to transform people’s lives. Corruption only cripples development and leads to substandard work,” she emphasized.
Beyond Roads: Mukono’s Wider Development Picture
Mukono Chief Administrative Officer, Elizabeth Namanda, revealed that several other projects are in the pipeline, including environmental protection efforts around Kisakomba swamp and the construction of a long-awaited market once land titling issues are resolved.
She also noted that the district council has approved the building of a modern abattoir at Kyetume slaughter hub, as well as the Nakayaga to Seeta to Kayanja 17.4 kilometer and Kigombya to Seeta 8.8 kilometer road projects in upcoming phases.
“These projects are all aligned toward job creation and improving the district’s economic outlook,” Namanda said.
Community Hope and Oversight
During the launch, Rev. Peter Bakaluba Mukasa, the Mukono District Chairperson, commended the government for its continued investment in the district, noting that Mukono has become one of the fastest growing areas surrounding Kampala.
However, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner for Mukono, Moses Muyambi, cautioned both locals and contractors against theft and misuse of project materials.
“The district engineer has already cited cases of fuel theft,” Muyambi warned. “We shall maintain a close watch to prevent such sabotage.”
Local leaders are equally optimistic. Mpatta Village Chairperson, Wasswa Joseph Kyambadde, said the new road will change daily life in profound ways.
“Our children have been struggling to get to school, and transporting goods to market has been a nightmare,” he said. “Now, with a tarmac road, we are sure services will reach us faster.”
Still, Mukono South Member of Parliament, Fred Kayondo, expressed concern about the speed of implementation, warning that delays could affect the project’s performance.
“I have already started my oversight role as the area MP,” he said. “The contractors have received an upfront payment of over 10 billion shillings, so they need to match the speed with the deadlines.”
A Step Toward Integration
If completed on time, the Ntenjeru to Buule road could redefine Mukono’s connectivity not only to Kampala but also across Lake Victoria to Ggaba, potentially transforming the district into a strategic trade and transport hub within the Greater Kampala Metropolitan area.
For now, the red dust of Mpatta and Buule carries with it the sound of bulldozers and the hopes of a community waiting to be connected to the rest of Uganda, not just by road but by opportunity.
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