Transport Paralysed as Masaka -Mutukula Highway collapses after Flooding

Transport Paralyzed as Masaka–Mutukula Highway Collapses after Flooding

By Editor

National

Transport and trade have been brought to a standstill along the Masaka–Kyotera–Mutukula highway after a section of the busy road collapsed following days of heavy rainfall.

The highway, which connects Uganda to Tanzania, is a critical trade corridor for goods and agricultural produce moving between the two countries and across the region.

Residents, traders, and motorists have been left stranded, with long queues of vehicles—especially cargo trucks—stretching through Kyotera town after the road became impassable.

“We have been here for hours with no way forward. This road is our lifeline to Tanzania, and now everything has come to a standstill,” some stranded road users said.

“Our goods are perishable, and every hour we spend here is a loss. Government needs to act quickly before businesses collapse.”

Preliminary reports indicate that the damage was caused by the overflow of River Katengo after persistent heavy rains in the area, which washed away part of the road.

The affected section had been constructed by China International Construction Company under a government contract.

Farmers from districts including Kyotera, Rakai, and Isingiro—who rely on the route to transport coffee, bananas, and livestock—say they are now cut off from key markets.

“We depend on this road to take our coffee and bananas to market. Right now, we are completely cut off,” said Abdul Ssewankambo, a resident of Kyotera.

Authorities initially directed motorists to use an alternative route through Buyambi and Bikiira, but the diversion quickly became impassable after heavy trucks overwhelmed the smaller road.

Floodwaters have also spread to surrounding areas, affecting nearby infrastructure and worsening the disruption.

“This is a major economic route, and its closure is affecting trade across the border. Urgent intervention is needed to restore movement,” said another resident, Ronald Tamale.

The incident has sparked frustration among locals, with some questioning the durability of the road construction, while others attributed the destruction solely to the intensity of the rains.

Engineers from CICO were on-site by the time of filing this report, working to restore the damaged section and reopen the highway.

The Masaka–Mutukula road is one of Uganda’s most important regional trade arteries, and its closure underscores the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to extreme weather events.

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