On Friday, residents of Kigomya Village staged a Jinja-Kampala highway protest, blocking the road with logs and burning tires. They demanded faster progress on the delayed roadworks that have severely impacted their daily lives.
As a result, traffic on the Kampala-Jinja highway ground to a halt. However, police officers from Mukono quickly responded, engaged the protesters, and restored order within an hour. Although the disruption was brief, it reflected years of frustration that have built up in the community.
Village chairperson James Mujunga stated that the community had shown remarkable patience over the years. Nevertheless, constant dust and slow construction have made daily life unbearable. Moreover, repeated complaints to the authorities have gone unanswered, deepening the residents’ resentment.
The rehabilitation of the Jinja-Kampala highway remains a critical concern. Despite the $1.4 billion investment led by M/s Energoprojekt Niskogradnja A.D., progress has been painfully slow. In fact, lawmakers from the parliamentary works committee have repeatedly criticized the poor quality and delays of the project.
The government contributed approximately $400 million to the project. Even so, the highway continues to suffer from dangerous road conditions, long travel times, and frequent accidents. These persistent problems ultimately fueled the recent Jinja-Kampala highway protest.
Consequently, residents are now demanding immediate action, not empty promises. They expect government agencies and contractors to accelerate the roadworks and ensure safer conditions for everyone.
In conclusion, the Jinja-Kampala highway protest sent a strong and clear message. People will not stay silent while vital projects that affect their livelihoods stall endlessly. Without urgent improvements, similar protests could erupt along Uganda’s busiest highway in the near future.
