Kasindi-Beni cross-border road project at 61% completion

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Significant progress is being made on the strategic road infrastructure linking Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with the critical Kasindi-Beni axis now standing at 61.21% completion.

The update follows a supervision tour by officials from the Ministry of Works and Transport led by Uganda’s ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Farid Kaliisa. 

Works at the Mpondwe/Kasindi bridge along the Mpondwe/Kasindi-Beni road is sustainably complete. (Photo by Donald Kiirya)

The delegation started the inspection from the Mpondwe border through North Kivu, concluding with a strategic briefing with the Governor of North Kivu, Maj. Gen. Evariste Somo Kakule on March 2, 2026.

Officials from the Ministry of Works and Transport, DOTT Services and from Division Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Works North Kivu in a group photograph. (Photo by Donald Kiirya)

The inspection was conducted ahead of the 5th Steering Committee meeting, which is currently underway at the Munyonyo Convention Centre after the inspection of the road projects.

At the three-day conference, delegates from both nations are reviewing technical reports and addressing the existing bottlenecks to ensure the project stays on track.

Regional Connectivity

The joint venture focuses on two primary arteries designed to transform trade in the East African region.

Officials from the Ministry of Works and Transport, DOTT Services and from Division Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Works North Kivu in a meeting with the North Kivu Governor Maj. Gen. Evariste Somo Kakule. (Photo by Donald Kiirya)

Ananthula Nagendar, the project coordinator at DOTT Services, says that while the Kasindi-Beni stretch (80km) is well underway, the Beni-Butembo axis (54km) has officially kicked off, currently recorded at 5.21% progress.

Kaliisa says the Ugandan-funded Mpondwe/Kasindi Bridge is now substantially complete, serving as a vital gateway between the two nations.

He says DOTT Services has established significant earthworks at Beni and has successfully identified sources for asphalt acquisition, signalling a transition toward paving.

Kaliisa adds that the roads connect major commercial hubs and airports in Butembo and Beni to the Kikorongo–Bwera axis in Uganda, creating a seamless corridor for the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).

Overcoming Logistics and Security Hurdles

Despite the steady momentum, the project—which was inaugurated by the two Heads of State in June 2021—faces a unique set of operational challenges.

Officials noted that emergency interventions are currently ensuring the 223km network remains an all-weather gravel standard to keep traffic flowing during the phased upgrade to bitumen (tarmac).

Progress has been tempered by several external factors, which include security, whereby ongoing rebel activities in Eastern DRC have restricted working hours for engineering crews.

Climate, where heavy rains have frequently interrupted earthworks and site stabilization and Logistics, where delays in land acquisition and site possession have pushed back certain construction timelines.

Strengthening the Economic Bond

The project is rooted in a mutual commitment to raise the standard of living through improved people-to-people connectivity and enhanced security.

By upgrading these roads, both governments aim to foster an environment ripe for foreign and domestic investment.

"The goal is to ease business and increase trade and investment not just between our two countries, but within the region as a whole," one of the delegates stated during the inspection.