Entebbe Expressway Toll Collection Deal Sparks Public Debate

[Eronda]

The government’s financial arrangement for toll fee collection on the Entebbe Expressway has come under scrutiny, with citizens and analysts questioning whether the deal delivers value for money.

According to official figures, government projected UGX 146 billion in toll revenue over five years. However, a private contractor was hired at a cost of UGX 122 billion to manage toll collection. This leaves government with only UGX 24 billion in net revenue across the same period.

Capacity Concerns

Adding to the controversy, government admitted it had “no capacity” to purchase toll collection software valued at UGX 5 billion, which would have enabled direct management of toll fees. Instead, outsourcing was chosen, raising questions about why a relatively modest investment in software was overlooked in favor of a much larger contract.

Public Reaction

The figures have fueled sharp criticism, with many Ugandans asking government to “make it make sense.” Social media debates highlight concerns that the contractor’s cost nearly wipes out the expected revenue, undermining the purpose of toll collection.

Broader Implications

• Transparency: The deal has intensified calls for accountability in public-private partnerships.
• Economic Efficiency: Critics argue that investing in government-owned systems would have been more cost-effective.
• Public Trust: The arrangement risks eroding confidence in infrastructure financing and management.

Government’s Position

Officials defend the outsourcing decision, citing efficiency, technology, and risk management. They argue that private contractors bring expertise that government lacked. Yet, the revelation about the UGX 5 billion software gap has amplified doubts about whether outsourcing was the best option.

Watch:

 

[Eronda]

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The government’s financial arrangement for toll fee collection on the Entebbe Expressway has come under scrutiny, with citizens and analysts questioning whether the deal delivers value for money.

According to official figures, government projected UGX 146 billion in toll revenue over five years. However, a private contractor was hired at a cost of UGX 122 billion to manage toll collection. This leaves government with only UGX 24 billion in net revenue across the same period.

Capacity Concerns

Adding to the controversy, government admitted it had “no capacity” to purchase toll collection software valued at UGX 5 billion, which would have enabled direct management of toll fees. Instead, outsourcing was chosen, raising questions about why a relatively modest investment in software was overlooked in favor of a much larger contract.

Public Reaction

The figures have fueled sharp criticism, with many Ugandans asking government to “make it make sense.” Social media debates highlight concerns that the contractor’s cost nearly wipes out the expected revenue, undermining the purpose of toll collection.

Broader Implications

• Transparency: The deal has intensified calls for accountability in public-private partnerships.
• Economic Efficiency: Critics argue that investing in government-owned systems would have been more cost-effective.
• Public Trust: The arrangement risks eroding confidence in infrastructure financing and management.

Government’s Position

Officials defend the outsourcing decision, citing efficiency, technology, and risk management. They argue that private contractors bring expertise that government lacked. Yet, the revelation about the UGX 5 billion software gap has amplified doubts about whether outsourcing was the best option.

Watch:

View attachment 3646738

update:
Parliament’s Physical Infrastructure Committee, chaired by Hon. Mwine Mpaka, uncovered during an on-site inspection that the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway toll system relies on manual barrier opening by staff despite EGIS operator claims of automation, as e-cards failed to trigger automatic clearance.

• A practical test exposed risks when a Shs5,000 saloon car e-card was used to manually clear a bus requiring Shs15,000, highlighting potential revenue leakage, classification errors, and accountability gaps in toll collection.

• The visit follows the recent handover from French firm EGIS to local Pinnacle Security, raising questions about operational efficiency on the 51km tolled expressway where cash and Upesi electronic cards coexist with staffed booths.