The Presidential Protection Unit (PPU) has dismissed claims circulating online that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s convoy was responsible for the traffic congestion experienced along the Mpigi–Masaka Road on Monday night, describing the accusations as false and misleading. While motorists endured delays, the PPU clarified that the situation was caused by a combination of factors unrelated to presidential movements.
According to the PPU, presidential convoys operate under strict, time-bound procedures that are standard practice worldwide. Any temporary road closures during such movements are carefully planned and coordinated to minimize inconvenience to the public. In this instance, the PPU emphasized that there were no prolonged stoppages attributable to the President’s convoy that could have resulted in the hours-long gridlock reported by motorists.
The PPU explained that the congestion was largely driven by heavy end-of-month traffic, as thousands of travelers returned to Kampala from upcountry after the Christmas holidays. This seasonal surge significantly increased traffic volumes on the highway. Poor road discipline by some motorists further worsened the situation, with drivers creating multiple lanes and obstructing the smooth flow of vehicles.
In addition, a heavy downpour affected the area during the night, reducing visibility and forcing some motorists to temporarily stop by the roadside to wait for the storm to subside. These weather conditions, combined with indiscipline on the road, greatly compounded the delays.
The PPU also noted that similar overnight traffic delays were experienced along the same route at the same time last year, when there were no presidential campaigns or movements in districts along the corridor. This, the unit said, clearly shows that the congestion was neither unusual nor linked to the President’s convoy.
The PPU has urged the public to refrain from politicizing traffic incidents and to consider the full context surrounding such situations. Motorists are encouraged to exercise patience, observe proper road discipline, and use caution during periods of heavy traffic and adverse weather to ensure safer and smoother travel for all road users.
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