The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved additional financing worth €217.37 million (about Shs874 billion) for the Multinational Busega–Mpigi and Kagitumba–Kayonza–Rusumo Roads Project, a major regional infrastructure initiative aimed at easing transport and promoting trade across East Africa.
The new funding will support the construction of interchanges, bridges, toll plazas, and service lanes, including the Busega Interchange, which links the Kampala–Mpigi Expressway to the Northern Bypass. The improvements are designed to address chronic congestion along the Northern Corridor, one of the region’s busiest trade routes connecting Kampala to Kigali.
The total cost of the upgraded Uganda section now rises to €424.61 million, with the AfDB providing the bulk of the resources — an ADB loan of €188.18 million, an ADF loan of €28.31 million, and a NEPAD-IPPF grant of $1 million. The Government of Uganda will contribute €30.98 million towards the project.
According to AfDB, the additional financing will also cover land compensation, project management, and capacity building for Uganda’s Ministry of Works and Transport to strengthen implementation following recent institutional restructuring.
Once completed, the 27.3-kilometre expressway is expected to reduce travel time between Busega and Mpigi from over two hours to less than 45 minutes, improving access to markets and social services for more than one million residents and traders.
The project will feature seven new bridges and 54 kilometres of lined drainage channels, creating more than 1,200 jobs — including 800 during construction and 400 during operations. At least 30 percent of these opportunities are reserved for women and youth, with targeted programmes to support female entrepreneurship and skills training in roadside businesses.
George Makajuma, the Bank’s Principal Transport Engineer and project task manager explained that the project is more than a road. It is also a lifeline for communities and a gateway for trade.
“The additional financing ensures that the Busega–Mpigi Expressway delivers safer, faster, and more inclusive transport for millions, unlocking the region’s economic potential,” Makajuma stated.
The AfDB Board’s decision aligns with Uganda’s continued investment in infrastructure as a driver of economic transformation and competitiveness.
Officials say the expressway will significantly reduce transport costs, enhance regional integration, and spur economic growth across the Northern Corridor.
Construction under the new funding is expected to resume in January 2026 and conclude by December 2029, with full project completion slated for 2030.
