Kampala, Uganda — Uganda’s Finance Minister Matia Kasaija announced a significant infrastructure investment in the fiscal year 2025/26 budget, allocating 4.28 trillion Ugandan shillings (approximately $1.1 billion USD) for road construction and ongoing projects. The minister detailed a comprehensive list of roads slated for work, underscoring the government’s commitment to enhancing national and regional connectivity.
The new financial year will see the initiation of construction and continuation of works on numerous critical road arteries across the country. Projects specifically prioritized for attention include:
- Puranga-Acholibur (65 kilometers)
- Kampala-Gayaza-Kalagi (33 kilometers)
- Lugazi-Buikwe-Kiyindi (28 kilometers)
- Kabwohe-Bwizibwera-Nyakambu-Nsika-Nyakabirizi (92.2 kilometers)
- Kisubi-Nakawuka-Natete-Kasanje-Mpigi-Mawugulu-Nanziga-Maya-Buwaya (71 kilometers)
- Busega-Mpigi (10 kilometers)
- Najjanankumbi-Busabala (11 kilometers)
- Lusalira-Nkonge-Lumegere-Sembabule (97 kilometers)
- Karugutu-Ntoroko (50 kilometers)
- Kabale-Lake Bunyonyi (15.1 kilometers)
- Kisoro-Nkuringo-Lubugiri-Muko (70 kilometers)
- Laropi-Moyo-Afoji (39 kilometers), incorporating a new bridge at Laropi
- Koboko-Yumbe-Moyo (105 kilometers)
- Namagumba-Budadiri-Nalugugu (33 kilometers)
- Tororo-Busia (25 kilometers)
- Katuna-Muko-Kamuganguzi (104 kilometers)
- Moroto-Lokitanyala (42 kilometers)
- Hamurwa-Kerere-Kanungu (47 kilometers)
- Lyantonde-Kashagama-Nyabitanga-Ntusi road (57.7 kilometers)
- Isingiro-Rugaaga-Mutukula-Ngarama-Kashumba-Kasese (164 kilometers), bordering Tanzania
- Masindi Bridge
- Karuma Bridge
Beyond these specific projects, the government is set to commence the implementation of the Kampala-Jinja Express Highway under a Public-Private Partnership framework. Maintaining the existing core national road transport network and district, urban, and community access roads (DUCAR) remains a high priority within the new budget.
Reflecting on the achievements of the past fiscal year, Kasaija highlighted significant progress. Uganda’s tarmacked road network has expanded to 6,287.6 kilometers, representing 30% of the national network, a notable increase from 3,112 kilometers in 2010/11. This expansion has led to substantial reductions in travel times, with journeys such as Malaba to Kisoro now taking 10 hours, down from 48.
The minister also noted the completion of the Kampala-Jinja and Busega-Mpigi express highways, which have solidified Uganda’s tarmac connectivity to all major international border points. In the previous year, 125 kilometers of roads were rehabilitated on ongoing projects, and over 100 kilometers were upgraded to paved bituminous standards. Furthermore, 579 billion shillings were disbursed for the routine maintenance of various road categories.
In the capital, Kampala’s road and drainage infrastructure is undergoing extensive revitalization, with 1.4 trillion shillings allocated for improvements. The Kampala Flyover and Road Upgrading Project has been completed, and construction on 10 bridges is nearing fruition, reporting 74.7% progress. Additionally, more than 700 kilometers of roads have been constructed in the Albertine Region to support the nation’s burgeoning oil and gas production.
This substantial investment in road infrastructure underscores the government’s strategic vision to bolster connectivity, facilitate trade, and drive economic growth across Uganda.
