Works and transport minister Gen Katumba Wamala has said constructing roads that go to DR Congo is a strategic move.

"Our biggest trade is currently with DRC. There is a virgin market in Congo that we need to reach," Katumba said on a UBC morning show this Thursday.

Last year, Uganda and DR Congo sealed a major deal that will see 223km of roads built in DR Congo to boost trade and strengthen relations between the two neighbouring countries.

One road to be constructed will run from Kasindi to Beni (80km), another will integrate the Beni-Butebo axis (54km) and the third will stretch for 89km from Bunagana border town, through Rutshuru to the strategic city of Goma, the capital of the North Kivu Province in DR Congo.

Uganda will contribute about 20% of the project value while the rest will be met by DR Congo’s government in an envisaged public-private partnership. 

In October 2020, Parliament approved sh220b for the construction of the three roads which Katumba said will, among others, better transport and improve relations between the two countries.

Katumba said last year that the Ugandan government earns about $532m (1.9 trillion) from trade transactions with DR Congo annually and this is likely to double if the road project is completed.

“If we do that (work on the roads], it (trade earnings) will double and we shall be able to earn more,” Katumba said.

DR Congo is Uganda’s second biggest regional trade partner after Kenya. Uganda exports to the DR Congo goods such as plastics, clothing and food-stuffs produced by domestic industries.

It is envisioned that fixing DR Congo roads will improve mobility, security and boost Uganda’s trade and investment. 

In 2018, Uganda exported $221m (sh810b) worth of goods to DR Congo in formal trade, while informal trade stood at $312m (sh1.1 trillion) making the total exports worth $533 (sh1.9 trillion).