Kitagwenda Leaders Urge Museveni on Ibanda-Rubirizi Road Pledge Ahead of PDM Visit

As President Museveni prepares to visit Kitagwenda District on Sunday, May 18, 2025, for a performance assessment of the Parish Development Model (PDM) project, local leaders are seizing the opportunity to remind him of a long-standing pledge to tarmac the Ibanda–Kabujogera–Rwenja–Rubirizi road.

The president’s visit aims to evaluate the impact and progress of the PDM project in the region.

However, for many Kitagwenda leaders, the state of the district’s road infrastructure remains the top concern.

Patrick Turyamureeba,the Kitagwenda Town Council Chairperson,emphasized that while the district appreciates other government interventions, poor road infrastructure remains a major setback.

He noted that the road in question is vital as it serves multiple districts, including Ibanda, Rubirizi, Kamwenge, and Kitagwenda itself.

“The people of Kitagwenda are very hungry for the tarmacking of this road. If it is worked on, it will greatly boost business and trade across the region,” Turyamureeba said.

Agaba Abbas Mugisa, the former Member of Parliament for Kitagwenda County, recalled that President Museveni pledged to tarmac the road in 2008.

Mugisa said that during his tenure in Parliament, he consistently reminded the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) about this commitment.

He added that although UNRA marked several houses along the route with “X” in preparation for construction, no progress has since been made.

“Those whose houses were marked faced pressure from financial institutions to repay loans, while others cannot access credit because their houses are flagged for demolition,” Mugisa explained.

Ismael Mushemeza, the current District Chairperson, said the road was once included in the National Development Plan (NDP) III and the NRM 2016 manifesto but was later dropped.

He echoed calls for the president to fulfill his earlier promise.

“It has been over ten years since the houses were marked with ‘X,’ and yet there’s been no movement. We ask the president to honor his pledge and cause the road to be tarmacked,” Mushemeza urged.

Beyond the road, leaders also want the president to consider upgrading Ntara Health Centre IV to a district hospital to enhance healthcare service delivery.

“Upgrading Ntara Health Centre IV to a hospital is essential to meet the growing health needs of our people,” added Abbas Agaba.

Meanwhile, Nicholas Nuwagira, the Kitagwenda Resident District Commissioner (RDC), said preparations are underway, and the community is excited to welcome the president.

“The public is ready and eager to receive the president,” Nuwagira confirmed.

As Kitagwenda looks forward to President Museveni’s visit, leaders and residents alike hope that their longstanding infrastructure and service delivery challenges will finally be addressed.