Residents of Sheema district are demanding explanations for the prolonged delay of the Sh5b Kitagata Royal Hot Springs tourism project, warning that the stalled construction is robbing the community of business opportunities, jobs, and much-needed revenue.
A Project That Promised Transformation
The initiative was expected to turn the area into a major tourism destination, drawing visitors from across Uganda and beyond. Instead, the site remains incomplete years after work began, leaving local businesses that depend on visitor traffic struggling to stay afloat.
Kitagata Hot Springs, situated in Kitagata town council, consists of two adjacent natural springs. The first, known locally as Ekyomugabe or the Royal King's Spring, was traditionally reserved for royalty. The second, Mulago Spring, serves ordinary members of the public and remains operational.
The King's Spring was closed to allow government-funded construction under the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities. What followed, residents say, has been a frustrating wait with little visible progress.
Minister Hears Residents' Frustration
On November 7, 2026, Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara visited the district as part of an anti-corruption campaign dubbed Expose the Corrupt. During the visit, residents told him that construction had dragged on for more than three years, despite the project originally being scheduled for completion within two years.
They also raised concerns about partially blocked water channels, saying stagnant water was producing an unpleasant smell and making the surrounding area uncomfortable for residents and traders alike.
Following the complaints, Barugahara toured the site, where he found construction work halted. Residents pressed him for a clear explanation of what had gone wrong and when the project would finally be completed.
Economic Hopes Hang in the Balance
Sheema district woman MP Adrine Katusiime Mwebesa said residents were proud of the natural attraction but worried that the delays were preventing them from benefiting economically. She noted that a completed facility would position Sheema as an important tourism destination, attracting foreign visitors and creating business opportunities for local communities.
Charles Obaro, the project engineer representing Strucon Limited, attributed the delays to irregular government funding and additional technical investigations. His explanation, however, did little to satisfy residents who have watched the site sit idle for years.
The stalled project highlights a broader challenge facing Uganda's tourism sector, where ambitious plans to develop natural attractions often run into funding shortfalls and administrative bottlenecks. For the people of Sheema, the promise of jobs and prosperity remains on hold, and their patience is wearing thin.
As the community awaits answers, the question hanging over Kitagata is simple: when will the springs finally flow with opportunity again?
