Uganda, DRC govts commit to ensuring early completion of road project

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The governments of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have agreed on several commitments to ensure the timely and successful completion of the vital infrastructure projects: Mpondwe/Kasindi-Beni (80km), Beni-Butembo (54km) and Bunagana-Rutshuru-Goma (89km) roads.

This commitment was made in a joint communique between Uganda's works minister, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, and DRC's infrastructure minister, John Banza Lunda, with their delegations at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala city.

The delegations met on March 5, 2026, to review the progress and address the challenges related to the ongoing construction of the project by Dott Services Ltd, a Ugandan firm, which they said was of strategic importance for the economic integration and connectivity between the two countries.

Uganda's works minister Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala (Right) and DRC's infrastructure minister John Banza Lunda (Left) during the meeting at Munyonyo. (Courtesy/Ministry of Works & Transport)

The communique signed by both ministers says they are committed to enforcing the project development agreement (PDA). They reaffirmed their commitment to fully comply with the provisions of the PDA, which governs the construction and upgrading of the Mpondwe/Kasindi-Beni, Beni-Butembo and Bunagana-Rutshuru-Goma Roads.

“In particular, we emphasise the enforcement of the provision that exempts the project from the payment of any taxes, duties, fees, or other levies for all goods, materials, and services related to the project. To this end, we commit to: The immediate resolution of any pending tax exemption approvals by the DRC’s ministries of finance and planning to ensure the timely clearance of project goods, materials, vehicles and equipment.

Both Uganda and DRC agreed on the provision of right of way, camp sites, borrow pits, quarry sites and relocation of utilities to the Contractor, DOTT Services Ltd.

The Parties committed to providing all the necessary support to CICOAGRI Sarl, the resettlement action plan (RAP) implementation consultant, by ensuring that there is continued direct engagement with the Contractor.

They also agreed to strengthen security measures. “Acknowledging the challenges posed by security risks in certain sections of the project, particularly in the Bunagana-Goma area, we reaffirm our commitment to ensure the safe execution of the project by: Continuing to collaborate with the relevant security agencies to ensure that all works are carried out in a secure environment.”

They also agreed on the registration of equipment, vehicles and issuance of work permits to expatriate staff belonging to the contractor Dott Services.

“The Parties commit to; facilitate the timely registration of equipment, vehicles and issuance of work permits to the Contractor's expatriate staff,” the communique stated.

On the issue of the public-private partnership (PPP) agreement, the parties committed to: Offer all the necessary assistance to the Contractor in preparation of the draft PPP agreement to execute and operationalise the PPP arrangements in accordance with Clause 5 of the PDA.

Overloading control measures

The Parties committed to enforce overloading control measures in collaboration with the Governor of North Kivu Province to save this critical infrastructure.

On the issue of payment of the consultant and contractor, the parties committed to prioritising the payment of all the consultant's outstanding invoices, as well as any approved payments to the Contractor.

Katumba and Lunda reaffirmed their shared commitment to the successful completion of the project.

“We fully recognise the strategic importance of this project for the economic development and regional integration of our two nations. We further pledge our best endeavours to facilitate the timely resolution of any issues, ensuring the smooth continuation and successful conclusion of this vital infrastructure project for the mutual benefit of the Republic of Uganda and DRC”

DRC-roads project

Addressing the media, Katumba said even before the completion of the project by Dott Services, it is already delivering great benefits to our countries.

“There is increased trade from $578.9 million in 2019 to over $1.2 billion in 2025; reduced travel time between Kasindi and Beni from four hours to about one hour and thirty minutes, greatly improving the movement of goods and people; Improved security along the corridor; and Lower transport costs, better access to markets and increased employment opportunities to local communities. These developments confirm that this project is not simply about building roads. It is about unlocking economic opportunities and strengthening the partnership between our two countries,” Katumba said.

He said as of now, the contractor Dott Services had withstood the insecurities to deliver the project and that, “significant works are ongoing along the Kasindi-Beni (80 km) and Beni–Butembo (54 km) roads, while works have not commenced on the Bunagana–Rutshuru–Goma road (89 km) due to insecurity.”



The project

The project was conceived during the state visit of DRC President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo to Uganda in November 2019. The two heads of State, President Yoweri Museveni and his counterpart Tshisekedi, agreed to upgrade 1,182 kilometres of strategic roads connecting the two countries, starting with the Kasindi–Beni, Beni–Butembo, and Bunagana–Rutshuru–Goma.

The objectives of the Project was: To strengthen bilateral relations between Uganda and the DRC; to increase the volume of trade between our countries; to ease cross-border business and movement of people; to improve security and fast-track regional integration.

Funding

Katumba said the project was being implemented under PPP.

 “This project has been financed through a PPP model by a special purpose vehicle set up for that purpose, which shall mobilise 60 per cent of the total project costs, and a subsidy contribution that has already been met by both the governments of DRC and Uganda for purposes of making the project viable, and buying down the cost of capital,” Katumba sad.

This means Dott Services will lead a special purpose vehicle to procure debt financing and recovery of the project investment through a road toll tariff agreed upon with DRC.