President Museveni has officiated at the groundbreaking ceremony for the reconstruction of the Salaama–Munyonyo Road, one of Kampala’s key urban corridors, signaling a major push in the city’s infrastructure upgrade.
Held at Takajunge Village in Salaama, the ceremony marked a new phase under the Kampala City Roads Rehabilitation Project (KCRRP), aimed at easing traffic congestion, improving access to services, and enhancing economic activity in the capital.
The 8.1-kilometre stretch, being reconstructed by China Railway 18th Bureau Group Co. Ltd., will also see the redevelopment of the busy Kulekaana Junction.
Once complete, the road is expected to improve mobility to and from areas like Kiruddu National Referral Hospital.
President Museveni, who was accompanied by First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Janet Kataaha Museveni, welcomed the progress but urged Ugandans not to view roads as the ultimate sign of development.
“You don’t sleep on tarmac roads; you sleep in your houses. Roads are part of development, but we must emphasize wealth creation and household income,” Museveni said.
The president used the event to restate his administration’s focus on grassroots economic transformation. He spotlighted Mrs. Fausta Nalweyiso, a beneficiary of the Parish Development Model (PDM) from Kibumbiro in Busega, whose piggery project he described as a model for household empowerment.
Citing past government interventions such as Entandikwa, NAADS, and Operation Wealth Creation, Museveni positioned PDM and Emyooga as improved, community-focused programs meant to directly benefit citizens without bureaucratic delays.
“It was a big debate in Cabinet, but I stood my ground. I’m very happy to hear that the PDM is starting to pick up and doing very well,” the president said.
He acknowledged concerns about mismanagement of PDM funds and pledged investigations into cases of theft. He also proposed a separate funding envelope for parish leaders to prevent conflicts over the Shs 100 million allocated to communities.
“We shall add money for the parish, with additional funding for the leaders,” Museveni said.
Recognizing the unique economic challenges faced by urban youth, the president revealed plans to introduce customized development programs targeting this demographic.
He also stressed the need for better political representation, criticizing Kampala’s urban voters for electing leaders who, in his view, fail to engage constructively with government.
“The problem you have in this town is electing opposition politicians who don’t help you. I have not had a meeting with your MPs. I don’t even know them,” Museveni stated, referencing Busega Market’s lack of a connecting road.
He urged residents to demand accountability and active representation from their elected leaders.
Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki provided updates on the KCRRP initiative.
Since its launch in December 2022, she said, 32.9 km of the targeted 86.9 km road network—about 38%—has been completed.
“The key roads already delivered include Old Mubende, Kigala, Kabega, Wamala, Muteesa I, Luwafu, Kayemba, Muzito, Suuna II, and Masiro roads,” she said.
She added that government is set to inject Shs 550 billion over the next three years to upgrade an additional 85 km of roads in the capital, a move expected to stimulate economic growth and integration into the money economy.
The Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Hajjat Minsa Kabanda, reaffirmed government’s long-term commitment to transforming Kampala’s infrastructure. Local leaders from the ruling NRM welcomed the project as timely and politically significant.
Makindye Division Chairperson Lukyamuzi Kakooza said the poor condition of Salaama Road had become a tool for opposition criticism, especially concerning patient safety en route to Kiruddu Hospital.
“The opposition was using it to say government had abandoned citizens. This upgrade changes the conversation,” he said.
Also present were State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs Balaam Barugahara, NRM Director for Mobilization Rosemary Sseninde, Kampala RCC Ms. Asiimwe Jane Muhindo, and Presidential Advisor for Kampala Ms. Sarah Kanyike. District chairpersons from across Kampala and surrounding areas also attended.
The Salaama–Munyonyo Road is expected to be completed by December 31, 2025, furthering government’s agenda to transform Kampala into a more functional, economically vibrant city.
