Uganda’s Roads to Progress: Promise and Prioritization in Bududa – But Is This the Right Way Forward?
Imagine a community where dusty, pothole-filled roads turn into muddy nightmares during the rains, hindering farmers from getting their produce to market and families from accessing essential services. That’s the stark reality facing Bududa District, and President Yoweri Museveni has stepped up with a bold assurance: the much-needed tarmacking of the Bubulo-Bududa Circular Road is finally on the horizon, thanks to newly secured funds. But here’s where it gets interesting – this isn’t just about paving; it’s a deep dive into how Uganda’s government allocates resources in a world of competing needs. Stick around to see why this promise might just be the game-changer for Bududa’s economy… or is it sparking debate on whether some priorities are being overlooked?
During a lively campaign rally at Bukigai Primary School in Bumatanda Parish, Bukigai Subcounty, President Museveni addressed a crowd eager for change. He highlighted the progress made by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) in building economic infrastructure. “Take a look at the advancements,” he said, pointing out that asphalt roads now extend from Mbale all the way to Bubulo, stretching further to Bumbo and Lwakhakha. The effort to connect this to Bududa via the circular route to Namisindwa has been ongoing, but delays were inevitable due to funding shortages. Now, with money in hand, the project is set to kick off without further ado.
This reassurance came in direct response to Bududa District NRM Chairman Mukwana Wekhola Kuloto, who painted a vivid picture of the road’s dire condition. He described it as plagued by holes, choking in dust during dry spells, and transforming into a slick, impassable mess when the rains pour. “This isn’t a political matter,” Kuloto emphasized, “it’s purely economic – vital for our livelihoods.” Museveni acknowledged the setbacks but attributed them squarely to financial constraints. He stressed that not every issue can be tackled immediately; the government must focus on emergencies first. To illustrate, he urged voters to advise their elected Members of Parliament (MPs) wisely – sometimes, he noted, MPs don’t heed his guidance, leading to these frustrating hold-ups.
And this is the part most people miss: Museveni drew on his background as a veteran fighter, explaining a disciplined approach to problem-solving. “We bush fighters endured hardships,” he shared. “We’re not the type to demand everything ready-made. Our strategy is to tackle one challenge at a time – rushing into too many could mean finishing none.” He gave a recent example: a teachers’ strike demanding higher pay. While acknowledging the teachers’ plight, he argued that with limited resources, why not resolve Bududa’s road issue first and circle back later? Instead, the strike diverted attention, creating chaos. “I plead with all NRM supporters,” he appealed, “stop juggling multiple priorities. Let’s conquer the critical ones sequentially.”
Reflecting on the past, Museveni recalled a pivotal 2005 showdown with Parliament where he pushed hard for prioritizing electricity and roads. Fortunately, it worked. Today, Uganda boasts more power generation, enabling expanded road networks. And look at the payoff: Mbale’s Industrial Park, a burgeoning hub of factories, wouldn’t exist without that extra electricity. Each factory employs countless locals, turning potential into prosperity. If that insistence hadn’t happened, these jobs might never have materialized.
With electricity already lighting up the region, Museveni vowed the road is next on the list. “We could’ve advanced faster if everyone embraced our methodical fighter mindset,” he mused. To explain, he likened it to soldiers in wartime: “Our troops often bunk in simple thatched huts, not fancy barracks, because if funds are tight, you invest in weapons first. A fighter in a humble shelter can still defend fiercely. Scattering resources leads to failure – that’s how we’ve safeguarded Uganda.” For beginners wondering about this analogy, think of it like budgeting at home: you fix the leaky roof before buying new furniture, ensuring survival before luxury.
But here’s where it gets controversial – is this “one thing at a time” philosophy fair, especially for regions like Bududa that have waited so long? Museveni didn’t stop at roads; he renewed the government’s pledge to establish at least one government primary school in every parish and one secondary school in every subcounty. In Bududa, with its 160 parishes, only 89 primary schools exist, covering 71 parishes, leaving 89 without. Some parishes even have more than one, highlighting uneven distribution. For secondary education, across 28 subcounties, just 8 schools serve them, with 8 subcounties having access and 20 still waiting. “No worries,” Museveni assured, “we’re addressing this.” He reminisced about his own school days in 1961 at Ntare High School, where students traveled from far-flung Bugisu and beyond, as Uganda had just six A-level institutions. Seeing Bududa now boasting around 10 schools and growing fills him with pride.
Yet, Museveni cautioned against complacency. Development alone isn’t enough if poverty persists. “A paved road benefits everyone – crooks might zoom faster, but honest traders thrive too. Real wealth and poverty are personal choices.” Since the 1990s, initiatives like Entandikwa, Bonna Baggaggawale, Operation Wealth Creation, and the current Parish Development Model (PDM) aim to lift communities from hardship. PDM, for instance, is a government program providing funds directly to households for small-scale investments, like starting businesses or livestock farming, to boost self-reliance.
In Bududa, PDM has pumped in 48.8 billion shillings, disbursed to 47,647 households totaling 47.6 billion shillings. Additionally, the Emyooga program – which supports special interest groups through savings and credit cooperatives (SACCOs) for urban or rural enterprises – has set up 53 SACCOs with 12,340 members, releasing 2.1 billion shillings so far. Museveni urged residents to seize these opportunities. “Let’s all unite to banish poverty from our homes,” he said. “PDM funds will keep flowing, and we can scale it up if needed. The goal? No poverty in any household.”
Leaders Weigh In: Praise and Calls for More
Bududa Woman MP Agnes Nandutu applauded the president’s clear stance on the road. “Survey these Bududa hills,” she said, “and you’ll see abundant crops – our people are dedicated farmers with cattle that don’t graze freely. Buyers even trek from Kenya to source organic produce here, selling it under a ‘Kampala’ label in their markets. This road? It’s crucial for transporting goods efficiently – we needed it yesterday!” She pushed for special consideration for Bududa as a remote, challenging area, starting with health facilities. “We demand health centers in every subcounty to prevent tragedies where patients perish en route to the main hospital.” Similarly, for education, “Let’s prioritize schools too, so teachers and students avoid exhausting walks. Bududa deserves this focus as a hard-to-reach zone.”
In wrapping up, one can’t help but ponder: Is Museveni’s prioritization strategy the efficient path to equitable development, or does it leave vulnerable areas like Bududa perpetually waiting? Do you agree that tackling issues sequentially is the fighter’s wisdom, or should governments multitask to address all cries simultaneously? And what about the MP’s plea – should remote regions get fast-tracked aid? Share your thoughts in the comments; let’s discuss if this is progress or just more promises!