Govt delivers on sh263bn Kabwoya–Buhuka oil road pledge
The road, which connects Kabwoya and Kyangwali sub-counties in Kikuube, is one of the critical oil roads that the government promised for years to upgrade from murrum to tarmac.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja launching the construction of the road on behalf of President Yoweri Museveni. (Photos by Peter Abaanabasazi)
Peter Abaanabasazi
Journalist @New Vision
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Residents and motorists using the potholed Kabwoya–Buhuka road have reason to celebrate following the launch of construction works on the long-awaited 43km critical oil road in Kyangwali sub-county, Kikuube district.
The road, which connects Kabwoya and Kyangwali sub-counties in Kikuube, is one of the critical oil roads that the government promised for years to upgrade from murrum to tarmac.
The 43km road links up with the 10km Buhuka–Kingfisher tarmac road, which leads to the Kingfisher oil field in Buhuka parish along the shores of Lake Albert.
The 10km road was previously constructed by the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) to improve access to the area.
President Yoweri Museveni, represented by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, on April 3, 2025, officially commissioned the construction of the Kabwoya–Buhuka road, funded by the Government of Uganda at a cost of sh263 billion.
The three-year project will be implemented by China Railway Seventh Group (CRSG).
CRSG is also tarmacking the 25km Hohwa–Nyairongo–Kyarushesha–Butole road, the 25km Kabale–Kizirafumbi road, and the 47km Masindi–Biiso road, at a combined cost of sh500 billion. The company is currently 95% complete with these projects.
In a message delivered by the Prime Minister, President Museveni said the government has implemented numerous infrastructure projects—such as tarmacked oil roads, electricity, the Hoima Stadium, and Kabalega International Airport—and is also planning to construct a refinery, all of which should be used by the people of Bunyoro for their socio-economic transformation.
He urged residents to engage in commercial agriculture to provide food and services that will support the sector and meet the anticipated demand in the region.
Country Director Jia Qingsong CRSG on left giving Chinese opera masks to Prime Minister Nabbanja after the launch of the project.
“The government has implemented a number of infrastructural projects that include oil roads, electricity, Hoima Stadium, and Kabalega International Airport, among others, which must be translated into jobs and household wealth in order for these developments to be meaningful,” the President said.
He stressed that while the oil sector will not directly put money into people’s pockets, the government will use revenues from the resource to improve social services such as roads, schools, and health care.
He underscored the need for citizens to prepare by embracing farming, skilling youth, educating children, and investing in hospitality facilities to benefit from the sector.
President Museveni also urged Ugandans to select an economic enterprise in one of four key sectors—commercial agriculture, industry, ICT, or services—to become creators of wealth and jobs. He noted that currently, 33% of Uganda’s population is still outside the money economy and remains in subsistence.
“I want to urge all households in Uganda to select an economic enterprise in the four sectors of commercial agriculture, industries, ICT and services that will enable them to become creators of wealth and jobs,” he said.
The President emphasised that the Kabwoya–Buhuka road is one of the critical oil roads prioritised by the NRM government to facilitate oil and gas production in the Albertine region.
He added that the project aligns with the NRM’s efforts to establish a firm base for Uganda’s economy by constructing and improving socio-economic infrastructure nationwide.
Eng. Alfred Ogeth from the Ministry of Works and Transport, speaking on behalf of State Minister for Works Musa Ecweru, said the Kabwoya–Buhuka road will connect to Kingfisher—one of the country’s key oil exploration sites—making it a vital link in the oil and gas sector.
He explained that the project would also unlock the country’s growth potential in sectors such as oil and gas transportation, agriculture, trade, and tourism.
“The Kabwoya–Buhuka road will connect to Kingfisher, one of the key oil exploration sites, thereby making it an important link for oil and gas. The project will also harness the country’s potential for growth opportunities in the transportation of oil and gas, agriculture, trade, plus tourism,” Ogeth said.
Peter Banura, the Kikuube district chairperson, commended the government for prioritising the road construction, noting that it was long overdue.
He said the road has long been one of the most impassable in the district, hindering locals from accessing social services such as markets, schools, and health facilities.
He also urged the contractor to be mindful of environmental protection during implementation.
“I want to call upon the contractor to put environmental protection into consideration since we have Bugoma Central Forest Reserve on the road to be worked on,” Banura stated.
Residents and drivers who use the road expressed excitement over its long-overdue upgrade from marram to tarmac.
Denis Kirya, a taxi driver operating between Kyangwali and Hoima City, said the road had always been impassable in both rainy and dry seasons, causing numerous accidents.
He added that the tarmacking of the road would be a major relief for both drivers and residents, making it fully motorable.
John Murungi, a resident of Rwensabya village in Kyangwali Sub-county, Kikuube District, thanked the government for finally funding the road construction, saying they had suffered long enough.
“When it is the dry season, the road is always dusty, and when it rains, it becomes slippery. This has made the movement of people and their goods difficult. When the government launches the construction of this road, it gives us hope and is good news to us,” he said.
Francis Twesige Mukoto, the Kabwoya sub-county local council III chairperson, urged the contractor to tarmac small roads leading to institutions such as schools and churches and to install security lighting in Kabwoya trading centre and Wairagaza.