Eronda
JF-Expert Member
- Dec 16, 2025
- 878
- 492
The Ugandan government has secured €110.5 million (approximately Shs481 billion) in financing for the construction of the 115.8-kilometre Kitgum–Kidepo Road, marking a significant milestone in efforts to transform Northern Uganda's transport network and unlock the economic potential of the Karamoja sub-region.
The financing agreement, signed on Tuesday between the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Henry Musasizi, and Standard Chartered Bank Uganda Chief Executive Officer Sanjay Rughani, is expected to accelerate one of Uganda's most strategic road infrastructure projects, long viewed as critical to boosting tourism, regional trade, agriculture and private investment.
Beyond providing an all-weather road to the internationally acclaimed Kidepo Valley National Park, the project is expected to strengthen Uganda's integration into regional transport corridors, improve access to emerging industrial investments and enhance connectivity with neighbouring South Sudan and Kenya.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Musasizi described the agreement as more than a financing transaction, saying it represents a long-term investment in Uganda's economic transformation agenda.
"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. Together with our partners, we are laying another foundation for a more productive, competitive and prosperous Uganda," Musasizi said.
He noted that the road forms part of government's wider strategy under the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV) to close infrastructure gaps, reduce the cost of doing business and promote balanced regional development.
According to the Finance Minister, improved transport infrastructure remains central to achieving Uganda's ambition of transitioning from a predominantly agrarian economy into a modern, industrialised and export-oriented economy.
The project also advances the objectives of Uganda Vision 2040, which identifies transport infrastructure as a key catalyst for socio-economic transformation, competitiveness and national integration.
The Kitgum–Kidepo Road has long been regarded as one of Uganda's priority transport corridors because it provides the principal gateway to Kidepo Valley National Park, widely recognised as one of Africa's most spectacular wilderness destinations.
For decades, visitors, investors and local communities have relied on a largely gravel road that becomes difficult to navigate during the rainy season, increasing transport costs, prolonging travel times and limiting tourism growth.
Once upgraded to bitumen standard, the highway is expected to substantially improve accessibility to the park while supporting government efforts to diversify Uganda's tourism products beyond traditional destinations.
The road is also expected to complement the planned US$72 million Kidepo International Airport, whose construction was recently launched by President Yoweri Museveni, positioning the region as a major tourism and investment hub.
Source: Parliament Watch.
