By Gloria Gwitabinji
Uganda has secured €110.5 million, about Shs481 billion, to finance the construction of the Kitgum-Kidepo Road, a key transport link expected to open up trade, tourism and investment in Northern Uganda and Karamoja.
The financing agreement was signed by Finance Minister Henry Musasizi and Standard Chartered Bank Uganda Chief Executive Officer Sanjay Rughani.
The 115.8-kilometre road is expected to improve movement between Kitgum and Kidepo, reduce transport costs and support trade across the region.
Musasizi said the project is not only about building a road, but about connecting communities, markets, industries and tourist destinations.
“Today’s signing is not simply about financing a road. It is about investing in Uganda’s future. It is about connecting farmers to markets, industries to raw materials, tourists to destinations and businesses to opportunity,” Musasizi said.
He said the road will strengthen the implementation of the Agro-Industrialisation, Tourism, Mineral Development and Science, Technology and Innovation agenda, commonly referred to as ATMS.
The project is also expected to support major investments in Karamoja, including the Yaobai Cement and Clinker Factory in Moroto, a project valued at more than 300 million US dollars.
Musasizi said the road will improve access to Kidepo Valley National Park, one of Uganda’s prime tourism destinations, and complement the development of the 72-million-dollar Kidepo International Airport.
The airport and road projects are seen as part of a broader push to turn Karamoja and Northern Uganda into stronger trade, tourism and investment corridors.
Standard Chartered Bank Uganda CEO Sanjay Rughani said the signing reflects the bank’s continued support for government projects with strong economic and development value.
“The Kitgum-Kidepo Road is a strategic investment that reinforces our long-term role as a trusted corporate and investment bank,” Rughani said.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Works and Transport Minister Fred Byamukama, Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Minister Sanjay Tanna, Tourism Minister Tom Butime, British High Commissioner to Uganda Lisa Chesney and other officials.
Government says the road will reduce travel time, lower the cost of doing business and improve access to services and markets in a region that has long faced infrastructure gaps.
