Speaker Orders Immediate Release of Funds for Fort Portal-Kampala Highway

Speaker Annita Among greeting King Oyo

The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, has directed the Ministry of Finance to immediately release funds to refurbish and complete the long-delayed Fort Portal-Kampala Highway, a crucial artery linking the tourism city to the rest of the country.

Speaking on Friday as Chief Guest, representing President Yoweri Museveni, at the 30^th Coronation Anniversary of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV at Karuzika Palace in Fort Portal City, Among highlighted how the deteriorating road has stifled development and curtailed tourism in the region.

The Fort Portal-Kampala highway is a lifeline for Uganda’s tourism sector, connecting the scenic “Switzerland of Africa” in Fort Portal, home to crater lakes, Mount Rwenzori, and Kibale Forest National Park, to the rest of the country.

Its poor state has long hampered the movement of tourists, trade, and local produce, limiting the region’s economic potential.

Today, Among said that she opted against using the presidential helicopter to reach Fort Portal, insisting on personally experiencing the harsh conditions faced by motorists.

“I told the President I don’t want the chopper. I want to feel the badness of this road so that the government prioritizes it, and I have felt it indeed,” she said.

In a firm directive, the Speaker instructed Finance Minister Matia Kasaija, who attended the ceremony, to present a request in Parliament for funding to complete the rehabilitation and upgrading of the highway.

The road, along with the Mityana-Mubende stretch, is among 27 major infrastructure projects stalled due to a funding shortfall in the 2025/2026 financial year. Only 682 billion of the required 3.153 trillion Shillings was provided, according to the Ministry of Works and Transport.

In Response, Minister Kasaija assured that the money had been allocated to the Ministry of Works, and following his follow-up with the Works Minister, roadworks are set to resume next week.

In his remarks, read by Speaker Among, President Museveni commended the Tooro Kingdom for mobilising its subjects to participate in government wealth creation initiatives. He emphasised that the restoration of kingdoms aimed to promote culture, unity, and recognition of ancestral contributions.

King Oyo, who ascended the throne at a young age, thanked God for guidance and praised the Queen Mother for nurturing his leadership. He urged the government to return the kingdom’s assets that have been in central government custody since 1993 and called on his subjects to uphold peace and vote for credible leaders in the upcoming elections.

The King also unveiled his 25-year development vision for Tooro, anchored on six pillars: health, youth empowerment, agriculture, tourism, sports, and HIV/AIDS prevention. He equally urged his subjects to embrace progress while preserving their heritage.

The coronation anniversary was celebrated under the theme “Visionary Leadership”, which emphasised the Kingdom’s commitment to long-term development, cultural pride, and national cohesion.

-URN