Overnight Traffic Chaos on Masaka–Mpigi Highway Due to Political Convoys

Hundreds of passengers found themselves stranded overnight on the Masaka–Mpigi highway due to extensive traffic congestion triggered by road closures for President Museveni's campaign rallies. The gridlock, which began around 5:00 p.m., resulted in some travelers missing important events such as funerals and market days, and forced many to sleep in their vehicles.

The traffic jam, which persisted late into the night, significantly impacted road users traveling between Mpigi, Masaka, Kyebando, and surrounding areas. By morning, numerous vehicles remained stuck, leading some passengers to abandon their cars and continue their journeys on foot.

Security-related road closures were the primary cause of the disruption. Sections of the highway were temporarily blocked to facilitate the movement of President Yoweri Museveni's convoy during campaign rallies in Mpigi and Butambala districts.

Among those affected were mourners and traders. One passenger, who was transporting his father's body for burial in Rakai, expressed his frustration: "I was traveling to Rakai to bury my father, and I got stuck here with his body. This situation is very painful."

Another stranded traveler described spending the night in Mpigi town without any assistance: "I reached Mpigi at around 5 p.m. and by midnight I was still stuck here. There was no help at all, and we had to sleep in the vehicle."

The situation worsened after the presidential convoy passed, as heavy rain fell, causing confusion as drivers attempted to overtake one another on the narrow road. Vehicles piled up from multiple directions, exacerbating the congestion. Some passengers likened the scene to a "battlefield."

Traders transporting agricultural produce and livestock reported losses after failing to reach markets on time due to the prolonged delays. Traffic police later intervened to manage the situation, opening alternative routes to ease congestion. Motorists traveling to Kampala were advised to use the Kasanje–Nakawuka road, while those heading to Masaka were redirected through the Gomba–Sembabule road.

The Traffic Police urged drivers to strictly follow traffic guidelines as efforts continued to restore normal flow on the highway. Affected road users have appealed to the government to expand and upgrade major highways, arguing that improved infrastructure would help prevent similar incidents in the future.