Kampala, Uganda — Construction works on the Busega–Mpigi Expressway are expected to resume following Parliament’s approval of a loan worth €188.18 million (Shs781.04 billion) from the African Development Bank (AfDB) and €28.31 million (Shs117.46 billion) from the African Development Fund (ADF).
The loan, approved during a plenary sitting on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, provides additional financing for the expansion and completion of the 27-kilometre expressway, which has faced repeated delays.
The Minister of State for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives (Industry), David Bahati, moved the motion seeking parliamentary approval of the loan.
Presenting the report of the Committee on National Economy, the Deputy Chairperson, Hon. Robert Migadde, justified the additional funding, noting that the government initially entered into a contract with the contractor without adequate designs. The original cost of Shs547.5 billion later rose to Shs1.35 trillion after new designs were submitted.
“In addition, the original project route alignment was re-aligned, as the additional work items were considered integral to the functionality of the expressway as a toll road, resulting in an increased project scope,” Migadde explained.
According to the committee’s report, the extra financing will also cater for an increase in the number of Project Affected Persons (PAPs) caused by the project’s expansion.
Initially, there were 2,885 PAPs, but the realignment raised the number to 4,222, valued at over Shs167.7 billion. Of these, 2,585 PAPs have been compensated, amounting to over Shs111.7 billion, leaving 1,637 unpaid, valued at approximately Shs56 billion.
To mitigate further delays, the committee recommended that the Ministry of Works and Transport ensure the contractor prioritizes works in unencumbered sections of the road.
A minority report, presented by Hon. Charles Tebandeke (Bbale County) and co-signed by Hon. Hassan Kirumira (NUP, Katikamu South), urged Parliament to defer the loan approval until the Government Chief Valuer conducts a fresh valuation of all PAP compensations to reflect current costs.
Hon. Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi (NUP, Butambala County) cautioned Parliament against approving the loan before verifying the total amount required, arguing that the project cost appeared excessive.
“What justification does government have to construct a kilometre at US$14 million? Parliament should move cautiously,” Muwanga Kivumbi said.
However, Hon. Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda (Kira Municipality) supported the project’s immediate completion, citing severe traffic congestion along the Busega–Mpigi corridor.
“The Busega–Mpigi Expressway has delayed, and I will do anything to facilitate its completion. I usually don’t support loans, but for this one, we need government to commit,” Ssemujju said.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa emphasized the project’s strategic importance and asked the Minister of Works and Transport to assure Parliament that the expressway would seamlessly connect with the Kampala–Entebbe Expressway, Ndeeba, Mityana, and the Northern Bypass.
In response, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, the Minister of Works and Transport, confirmed that the new design includes auxiliary roads connecting to Mityana and Kasangati, as well as a complex interchange at Kyengera to link multiple highways.
“There will be a complex interchange around Kyengera, connecting the Entebbe Expressway, Mityana Road, and Northern Bypass. This is part of the reason we require additional funding,” Gen. Katumba explained.
He added that the expanded works will include four toll gates and several bridges that were not part of the original design.
“We commit to address all the issues raised in both the main and minority reports, and I assure Parliament that the funds spent will be recovered through toll collections,” the minister said.
The Busega–Mpigi Expressway is a multinational infrastructure project linking Uganda to Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and was initially launched in 2020.
