Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has sparked public debate following a strong statement on social media about road construction in Kampala. His comments came after growing praise for the ongoing rehabilitation of the Bukoto–Kisalosalo Road, which is being handled by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces Engineering Brigade.
The road works, which are currently about 75 percent complete, were launched under military supervision after a directive from the Chief of Defence Forces. The project has already begun to change daily life for residents and business owners who previously struggled with poor road conditions that made access difficult and unreliable.
Before the rehabilitation began, many locals described the road as nearly impassable. Businesses along the route were badly affected as customers avoided the area due to dust, mud, and constant vehicle damage. Some traders reported reduced sales and feared closure if conditions did not improve. The situation had created widespread frustration among both residents and commercial operators.
Among those who shared their experience was Johny Mallick, proprietor of Tohfa Restaurant and Bar in Bukoto. He explained that for nearly two years, the poor state of the road almost forced him to shut down his business. According to him, customer traffic dropped sharply because people could no longer easily reach the area, making operations very difficult.
It is in this context that Gen Muhoozi’s tweet gained attention. He claimed that the Bukoto–Kisalosalo Road had been completed in just four months with a relatively small budget. He went further to suggest that the government should consider giving the entire Kampala roads budget to the UPDF, arguing that infrastructure projects in Uganda often suffer from what he described as “robbery,” implying corruption and misuse of funds.
His statement quickly attracted public reaction because it raises questions about how infrastructure projects are managed in the country. Supporters of military-led engineering works argue that the UPDF Engineering Brigade has shown speed and discipline in delivering results. However, others believe that road construction should remain under civilian authorities to ensure transparency, accountability, and proper oversight of public funds.
Despite the debate sparked by his remarks, residents along Bukoto–Kisalosalo Road continue to focus on the positive changes already visible. Many say the ongoing rehabilitation has improved movement, revived business activity, and restored hope for better infrastructure in the area once the project is fully completed.
