President Idi Amin officially opened the final 48-mile (76 kilometre) Ntungamo-kabale stretch of the 258-mile (413-kilometre) main road from Kampala to Kabale in south-western Uganda on Sunday (15 August).

The 41 million shillings (2,400,000 sterling) section of all-weather road was partly financed by a loan from West Germany and built by Israeli contractors. General min's brief speech at the opening ceremony included assurances that the new road would benefit not only Uganda, But also neighbouring Rwanda and Congo-Kinshasa.

The road normally carried about 80 per cent of Rwanda's foreign trade, but traffic came to a halt last month when Uganda closed their common border for reasons of security. The border was reopened on August the 6th, on the condition that Rwanda does not allow its territory to be used as a base for subversion against Uganda.

One of Uganda's most attractive tourist areas, the kabale district, will also be opened up by the new road. People wanting to get away from the sultry heat of the capital Kampala, favour the hilly area for its tranquillity and cool climate.

SYNOPSIS: In Uganda, President Idi Amin arrived at the Ankole-Kigezi border on Sunday to open the final 48-mile stretch of the main road linking Kampala to kabale in the south-western area. Kampala's residents will now be able to take advantage of one of the country's most attractive tourist areas in the kabale hills, where the cool climate makes a welcome change from the sultry heat of the capital.

The 41 million shillings section of all-weather road was partly financed by West Germany, and much of the construction work was done by Israeli engineers. Envoys from both countries were there to welcome President Amin. His brief opening speech mentioned that the road would benefit not only Uganda, but also neighbouring Rwanda and Congo-Kinshasa.

The road normally carries about 80 per cent of Rwanda's foreign trade, but the border was closed last month for security reasons. Earlier this month, subject to conditions, it was reopened.