UPC calls for investment in domestic air transport to decongest road

KAMPALA - The Uganda People's Congress (UPC) has urged the government to invest in domestic air transport to alleviate the country’s crippling road congestion.

According to the party, the move would not only reduce travel times but also boost economic growth and regional integration.

Speaking at the UPC party headquarters at Uganda House in Kampala on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, party spokesperson Sharon Arach Oyat emphasised that Uganda’s narrow roads are overwhelmed with traffic, leading to frequent accidents and lost productivity.

“Uganda government should invest in domestic air transport to provide a safer and more efficient alternative for passengers and cargo,” Oyat suggested.

“Uganda needs to decongest its roads and domestic air transport is the way to go,” added Oyat. “We urge the government to prioritize investment in this sector to boost our economy and improve the lives of Ugandans.”

This comes as the government recently announced plans to upgrade 11 regional airfields across the country, a move aimed at enhancing connectivity and unlocking investment opportunities in tourism, trade, and agriculture.

UPC head of ideology and research department, Christopher Lwanga, insisted that the party’s proposal is in line with efforts by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to introduce mass transport systems, including electric buses and a bus rapid transit system, to reduce congestion in the city.

“Investing in domestic air transport could have far-reaching benefits, including reduced travel times, increased trade, and improved regional connectivity,” Lwanga added.

UPC expressed deep concern over the escalating number of road crashes in the country, resulting in loss of lives, injuries, and maiming of innocent citizens.

According to Oyat, the increasing rate of road accidents has made travelling on Uganda’s main roads a nightmare, attributing the situation to several factors, including narrow and poorly maintained highways, lack of adequate road signs, and potholes that are often neglected for extended periods.

She noted that the country’s roads, which serve as gateways to regional neighbours, are overwhelmed with heavy traffic volumes, especially during peak hours.

Old vehicles causing traffic jam, air pollution

The UPC also pointed to the deplorable state of many vehicles plying the roads, which are often in dangerous mechanical condition, and the reckless driving habits of some motorists, who are often distracted by incoming calls and loud music.

“Most of our vehicles are in dangerous mechanical conditions and are forced to ply long distances, which is a recipe for disaster,” the party stated.

UPC recommended investing in alternative modes of transport, such as the metre gauge and standard gauge railway, water transport, and domestic air transport with regional hubs, to reduce heavy traffic on Uganda’s roads.

The Presidents of Uganda and Kenya, Yoweri K. Museveni and William S. Ruto, respectively, launched the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Naivasha to Malaba, a project aimed at enhancing trade among East African states.

The SGR is expected to extend to South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Rwanda, with Tanzania also advancing its SGR connections with Rwanda, DRC, and Uganda.

UPC welcomed the move, stating that Uganda has been lagging behind in SGR development.

“SGR is the fastest and safest means of transport, facilitating easy movement of people and goods on time, and is crucial for regional integration, especially as the East African Community aims to become a fully-fledged common market,” Oyat suggested.

The Naivasha–Malaba SGR project is expected to boost trade and economic development in East Africa and beyond, with other regional bodies like the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) also prioritising similar infrastructure projects.

The UPC appealed to the Ugandan government and the Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) to fast-track SGR construction and revive the one metre gauge railway, which previously covered routes such as Kampala–Kasese, Kampala–Tororo, and Soroti–Lira–Gulu–Pakwach.