President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed the Minister of Finance Planning and Economic Development Hon Matia Kasaija to expedite the signing of commercial contract with DOTT Construction Services to immediately upgrade roads leading to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
According to the letter dated February 17th 2026, addressed to Minister Matia Kasaija and signed by President Museveni, the issue was first directed in 2019, but 7 years later the contract is yet to be signed.
The roads in question lead to all the trekking gates of Rushaga, Nkuringo, Buhoma and Ruhija sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where US 20 million dollars is generated per year from direct gorilla permit sales by Uganda Wildlife Authority, yet this amount could be doubled if the roads were in good order.
In the letter, which the Informer Uganda Online has seen, President Museveni points out that the roads continue to be ‘notoriously poor and impassable’, particularly during the rainy season when they become muddy and slippery.
“At times, landslides completely block the roads, causing significant delays and forcing tourists to walk long distances or spend nights in vehicles,” President Museveni noted.
The President made it categorically clear that Bwindi Impenetrable National Park should be given priority because or it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site an̈ was recognised as one of the world’s most beautiful places by CNN in 2019 and 2023.
He also said that Bwindi Impenetrable National Park generates more revenue for Uganda Wildlife Authority than any other National Park in Uganda due to high-value mountain gorilla tracking permits, which constitute a major revenue stream for the country.
President Museveni also said, “Bwindi Impenetrable National Park acts as a catalyst that increases the number of tourists visiting other National parks in the country as it hosts nearly half of the world’s endangered mountain gorilla where it acts as a vital sanctuary for threatened species”.
The President has since directed the Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development to expedite the signing of the commercial contract with DOTT Services and use part of the loan the government acquired from Vitol Bahrain to finance the contract.
“In addition expedite the construction of 9kms under the same arrangement from Kabale NTC to Kakomo via Arcadia Lodges where Serena Hotel is planning to establish a five-star Hotel,” President Museveni directed..
He also directed that all unplanned shanty trading centers located within 500 meters of the gates of Rushaga, Nkuringo, Buhoma and Nkuringo gates must be removed after compensating the owners and be replaced with trees while souvenir and art crafts shops for local artisans be established at all gates under the same funding.
The letter was copied to the Vice President Major Jessica Alupo, the Prime Minister Rt Hon Robinah Nabbanja, the Minister of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities, Minister of Works and Transport, Attorney General, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance who is also the Secretary to the Treasury and the Executive Director of Uganda Wildlife Authority.
