Kigezi Leaders List Key Demands Ahead of State of the Nation Address

Leaders and residents in Uganda's Kigezi sub-region have articulated pressing issues they hope will be addressed in the upcoming State of the Nation Address. Their primary concerns revolve around inadequate road infrastructure, persistent challenges within the health sector, delayed payments to tea nursery bed operators, and escalating poverty levels.

Tourism roads, particularly the Kabale-Lake Bunyonyi and Kisoro-Mugahiga routes, are frequently cited as significant impediments to the region's tourism industry growth. The poor state of these roads restricts access to key attractions, adversely affecting both visitors and local businesses. Concurrently, tea nursery bed operators are experiencing significant distress due to delayed government payments, which disrupts their operations and livelihoods. Poverty remains a substantial issue, with approximately 27 percent of households struggling to meet basic needs.

Rukiga District LC5 Chairperson Simon Mutebi Rwamagyenda highlighted the need to strengthen referral hospital services, especially given the high number of cancer patients in Kigezi. He advocated for more health facilities and increased support for healthcare workers. Rwamagyenda also urged the government to prioritize industrial development, including mineral processing industries, to create employment for the youth.

Rubanda District LC5 Chairperson Stephen Ampeire Kasyaba called for enhanced funding for road construction, noting that Kigezi's mountainous terrain makes infrastructure development more costly. He also raised concerns about delayed disaster management funds, which hinder local leaders' ability to respond to emergencies. Kasyaba further appealed for increased funding for government programs like the Parish Development Model to boost their community-level impact.

Kabale District LC5 Chairperson Denis Nzirwe emphasized the urgent need for government intervention on tourism roads, specifically the Kabale-Lake Bunyonyi road project. This project, awarded years ago, remains incomplete after the contractor abandoned the site, continuing to negatively affect tourism and economic activity in the area.

“

The State of the Nation Address, scheduled for Thursday, is expected to highlight government priorities and achievements for the 2026/2027 financial year.