Uganda needs Sh2.47 Trillion to fix crumbling roads — Katumba
Uganda needs Sh2.47 trillion to revamp its deteriorating road infrastructure, according to Works and Transport Minister Gen. Katumba Wamala.
The revelation was made in a report presented to Parliament on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.
Uganda’s national road network currently spans approximately 21,292 kilometres of which 6,912.1 kilometres are paved, while 14,380 kilometres remain unpaved.
The Ministry of Works and Transport, through its Department of National Roads, is responsible for the development, rehabilitation, and maintenance of the entire network, including axle load control.
Following the repeal of the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) Act, all ongoing road projects previously managed by UNRA are now overseen by the Department of National Roads under the Ministry.
As of July 2025, the Ministry is implementing 28 road upgrading projects, 10 road rehabilitation projects, and 11 bridge construction projects. These are funded through a combination of Government of Uganda (GoU) funds and support from development partners.
Additionally, the Ministry continues to roll out the National Road Maintenance Programme, covering both paved and unpaved roads.
“For the Financial Year 2025/26, the total GoU requirement for the National Roads Programme is Sh3.153 trillion,” Gen. Katumba stated. “This includes Sh2.082 trillion for ongoing works, land acquisition, and counterpart obligations, as well as Sh1.071 trillion to clear arrears carried forward from FY 2024/25.”
However, only Sh682 billion has been allocated under the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), leaving a financing gap of Sh2.472 trillion.
“This trend follows a continued decline in GoU allocations throughout the NDPIII period. Contributions have fallen from Sh1.45 trillion in FY 2020/21 to Sh632 billion in FY 2024/25 — the latter representing only 20 percent of the NDP III target for the year,” he added.
Katumba warned that persistent underinvestment has led to debt accumulation and stalled projects such as the Masindi–Biiso and Kabale–Kiziranfumbi roads the latter being a critical oil road currently carrying a Sh111 billion debt.
Other projects like the Kiira–Kasangati and Entebbe–Nakiwogo roads are progressing slowly due to funding bottlenecks.
The minister’s remarks come just a day after several lawmakers including Dan Kimosho (Kazo County) criticized authorities, warning that the deteriorating road network could cost them politically in the 2026 General Elections. Some, they noted, may have already paid the price, as seen in the recent National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries.
