Business between Uganda and Rwanda comes to an abrupt end after key road gives in and collapse

Transport between Uganda and Rwanda was suspended indefinitely after a section at Kyonyo, 3km to the Rwandan border, collapsed.
The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) suspended traffic along the busy road leaving hundreds of travellers stranded.
The road is a major transport corridor used mostly by heavy trucks to facilitate trade between landlocked Rwanda and Burundi and the rest of the region.

Business between Uganda and Rwanda came to an abrupt end over the weekend after a key road linking the two countries gave in and collapsed.

Transport between Uganda and Rwanda was suspended indefinitely as road engineers raced against time to fix the Katuna-Rwanda road after a section at Kyonyo, 3km to the Rwandan border, collapsed.

The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) suspended traffic along the busy road leaving hundreds of travellers stranded.

UNRA executive director Allen Kagina on Saturday evening issued the suspension directive after the assessment of the damage.

Ms Kagina and the Kabale District Police Commander, Mr Dickens Bindeeba, said the road remained risky for motorists.

“Right now, traffic along this road has been stopped. No motorised traffic on this road because it is not safe. Motorists are advised to use Ntungamo-Mirama Hills-Kagitumba road. We are working with police to direct motorists to the alternative routes,” said Ms Kagina.

Ms Kagina revealed that the road collapsed on Friday night and could have been caused by weather changes, especially heavy rains that caused landslides.

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Movement of tectonic forces however, is also suspected to be behind the road collapse.

According to UNRA regional manager South Western, Benice Kiganda who cited a similar occurrence in Rwanda a few weeks ago argued that tectonic forces may be what caused the road to collapse since the road is in a volcanic area.

“We are going to do more investigations and find out exactly what could be the cause, but we suspect tectonic forces since this is a volcanic area. Four more other sections, two on Kabale –Ntungamo road and Kabale-Katuna road are showing similar signs,” said Ms Kiganda.

At least 200 trucks use the road every day.

The road is a major transport corridor used mostly by heavy trucks to facilitate trade between landlocked Rwanda and Burundi and the rest of the region.