Frustration Peaks as Hundreds Spend the Night Trapped on Kampala–Masaka Highway
Hundreds of motorists and passengers were forced to spend the night stranded on the Kampala–Masaka Highway after traffic ground to a near standstill amid President Yoweri Museveni’s campaign activities in Mpigi and neighboring districts. What began as slow movement on Monday evening quickly escalated into a massive gridlock, stretching for several kilometres and leaving travellers stuck for more than 10 to 12 hours.
The traffic jam reportedly built up between Buwama in Mpigi District and Kyengera in Wakiso District, one of the busiest sections of the highway. By nightfall, vehicles were barely moving, forcing many people to sleep in buses, taxis and private cars as frustration grew. Passengers described a tense night marked by exhaustion, hunger and uncertainty, with no clear communication on when traffic would resume.
Traffic police later confirmed that aerial patrols were deployed to assess the situation from above and establish the “root cause of the transport crisis.” Authorities said the congestion was aggravated by high traffic volumes, heavy rains that rendered alternative routes risky, and disruptions linked to the President’s campaign rallies held close to the highway. Motorists were advised to use diversion routes such as Kasanje–Nakawuka and Gomba–Sembabule, but many drivers chose to remain on the main road, citing poor road conditions on the alternatives.
The traffic chaos coincided with President Museveni’s rallies in Mpigi and Butambala districts, with one of the addresses taking place near the highway. Several motorists claimed traffic was temporarily halted to allow the presidential convoy to pass, both before and after the rally, effectively trapping thousands of vehicles on the road overnight. Videos circulating on social media showed sections of the highway cleared during the rally, further fueling public debate about the cause of the gridlock.
By Tuesday morning, movement had slowly resumed, but the incident sparked widespread public anger and renewed criticism over traffic management during major political events. Many commuters and leaders questioned why activities were allowed so close to a critical transport corridor without adequate planning to minimize disruption.
The Kampala–Masaka Highway is a vital link connecting Kampala to southwestern Uganda and neighboring countries, and the latest disruption has once again highlighted its vulnerability to congestion. As authorities continue investigations into the incident, road users are calling for better coordination, improved infrastructure, and clearer communication to prevent a repeat of a night many described as one of the most frustrating travel experiences in recent years.
