KAYUNGA, Uganda — President Yoweri Museveni has called on landowners to stop demanding compensation for land used in road construction, arguing that such payments significantly delay infrastructure projects and inflate costs. Museveni made the plea last Friday during the commissioning of the Kayunga Bbaale Galiraaya Road in Kayunga Town.
“I want to appreciate the Banyala because you have said that if you give us the road, we won’t ask for compensation for our land,” President Museveni told local leaders and residents, referring to the indigenous tribe in Kayunga. “You, the Banyala, are very clever and patriotic.” He added that if landowners ceased demanding compensation, the unit cost for road construction would decrease.
Museveni highlighted the financial impact of land acquisition, noting that estimated compensation for the Kayunga road project alone would have been around 76 billion Ugandan shillings, nearly a third of the total cost. “Yet when your land has a tarmac road, its value goes up, your fuel expenses reduce, and your life improves,” he said. “You people of Kayunga understand this calculation; I will use you as an example.”
Residents who agreed to have their land used for the 87-kilometer road without compensation were present at the ceremony. The road, which will cost 213 billion shillings, is being constructed by China Road and Bridge Corporation. The contractor will finance the project upfront, with the government slated to begin payments after two years. Ministry of Works engineers will oversee the two-year construction period, which includes a 24-month defect liability period.
The President, accompanied by First Lady Janet Museveni, emphasized the strategic importance of the completed road, stating it would drastically reduce travel time from northern Uganda to the central region. He also commended the contractor’s flexibility in accepting deferred payments and urged residents to utilize the new infrastructure to boost their household incomes through income-generating activities.
The government has promised to tarmac this road since 2011, and its previous poor condition had led to protests from local leaders. Gen. Katumba Wamala, the Minister of Works and Transport, announced that beyond the road construction, a ferry connection would be established at Kawongo on Lake Kyoga to northern Uganda, further reducing travel time and boosting tourism. Charles Tebandeke, the Bbaale County Member of Parliament, cautioned residents against selling their land once its value increases, advising them to instead use it for commercial agriculture.
