The Government has reported significant progress in improving Uganda’s road network, with the majority of national roads now in fair-to-good condition as investments in road construction, rehabilitation and maintenance continue across the country.
Presenting a ministerial statement to Parliament on the state of roads in Uganda, the Minister of State for Works, Hon. Musa Ecweru Byamukama, said the country’s road network remains the backbone of the economy, carrying more than 90 per cent of cargo and passenger traffic.
The minister said Uganda’s national road network currently spans 159,561 kilometres, with only 5.57 per cent paved, underscoring the importance of sustained maintenance and investment.
According to the ministry, 92 per cent of paved national roads are in fair-to-good condition, surpassing the government’s target of 90 per cent, while 77 per cent of unpaved national roads are in fair-to-good condition, exceeding the target of 75 per cent.
The minister also highlighted recently completed road projects that have been opened to the public, including the Alwii–Nebbi, Soroti–Dokolo–Lira–Kamdini, Moroto–Lokitanyala and Pallisa and Kumi town roads.
He said works are ongoing on 1,274.8 kilometres of roads under upgrading, while another 854.6 kilometres are undergoing rehabilitation. In addition, construction is underway on 30 bridges across the country to improve connectivity and support economic activity.
Government has invested approximately Shs37.4 trillion in the national road network over the years. However, the minister acknowledged that inadequate maintenance funding has reduced the lifespan of some road infrastructure, increasing rehabilitation costs.
He cited the Karuma–Olwiyo Road, where timely periodic maintenance costing Shs48.6 billion is helping preserve the infrastructure, compared to the Olwiyo–Pakwach Road, which now requires full rehabilitation at a cost of Shs195.7 billion after delayed maintenance.
The minister said the Government is strengthening oversight of road infrastructure while advocating for increased maintenance funding to protect existing investments and improve service delivery.
Looking ahead to the 2026/27 financial year, the ministry plans to commence ten new national road upgrades, including the Katine–Ochero, Karugutu–Ntoroko, Jinja–Mbulamuti–Kamuli–Bukungu and Laropi–Moyo–Afoji roads.
The Government says continued investment in road infrastructure will improve connectivity, facilitate trade, enhance access to social services and create more economic opportunities for communities across the country.
