Uganda-Rwanda road projects to be unveiled

Signing of a multi-billion contract for projects to improve the road network in Uganda and Rwanda is to take place at the finance ministry in Kampala on Thursday.

The Uganda/Rwanda (Kibuye-Busega-Mpigi and Kagitumba-Kayonza-Rusumo) Roads are to be funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB).

Jim Mugunga, the finance ministry spokesperson said in a statement that the signing ceremony for a multinational project will take place on December 29, 2016, at 10:00am.

The funding will be directed through the respective countries' road agencies - Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) and Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA). Details of the funding and the contractors are to be unveiled tomorrow.

"An interface with officials from the finance ministry, funders (AfDB), core partners works and tranasport ministry, UNRA among others to share project details has been arranged," Mugunga said.

Last year, the Government of Uganda and its counterpart of Rwanda applied for funding from AfDB towards the construction of the roads, information from the AfDB website shows.

According to AfDB, the 32km Kibuye-Busega-Mpigi Road (starts from Kibuye via Busega and passes through Kyengera, Buloba, Maya, Lungala to Mpigi.

"The  Project  road  is  part  of  the  Kampala-Masaka  Highway  and  is  linked  to  Kampala-Mityana  road,  the Northern Bypass and Kampala-Entebbe Expressway road at Busega. The road is also part of the Northern Corridor,  connecting  Rwanda,  Burundi  and  Eastern  Congo  to  the  Port  of  Mombasa  in  Kenya," information sourced from the UNRA website states.

The road will have four lanes; two on either side of the road and four interchanges. It will also have link roads/town roads covering 15km. This road in Kampala will involve construction of an expressway on completely new alignment.

On the other hand, the 208km Kagitumba-Kayonza-Rusumo road project will involve rehabilitation and widening of the NR3 Kayonza-Rusumo road (92km) and NR5 Kagitumba-Kayonza road (116Km). The Rusumo-Kayonza-Kagitumba road section will traverse Kayonza, Gastsibo, Kabarondo and Nyagatare districts in Rwanda.