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The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved $252.83 million for road infrastructure in Uganda, focusing on the Laropi-Moyo-Afoji and Katuna-Muko-Kamuganguzi roads. This funding aims to enhance rural transport connectivity, promote regional integration, and boost trade between Uganda and South Sudan.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has formally sanctioned a cumulative amount of $252.83 million (approximately sh958 billion) to support road infrastructure development in Uganda. This financial assistance, comprising $179.68 million from AfDB and $73.15 million from the African Development Fund, the Bank Group’s concessional loan window, is designated for the execution of the Laropi-Moyo-Afoji and Katuna-Muko-Kamuganguzi roads.

The stated road project aims to enhance rural transport connectivity and foster regional integration within the districts of Kabale, Rubanda, and Moyo in Uganda. It is poised to augment incomes, deepen regional integration, and facilitate trade, while concurrently establishing an alternative transport corridor linking Uganda with South Sudan, as articulated by AfDB Country Manager for Uganda, Augustine Ngafuan.

This infrastructure initiative is anticipated to enable economic operators along the route to mitigate costs and reduce lead times, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency of transport logistics. Beyond the primary roads, the project will extend support to the improvement of five kilometres of roads in small towns, along with non-motorized traffic facilities, including walkways and cycle tracks in Moyo and Laropi, northwestern Uganda, aimed at enhancing mobility.

Furthermore, the project encompasses the provision of street lighting to enhance the business environment for traders, the establishment of a regional bus terminus in Moyo, and the construction of market stalls with cold storage facilities in Kashasha/Katuna, Moyo, and Laropi. This inclusive approach seeks to support women traders operating on roadsides, facilitating increased earnings from perishable products such as fish and vegetables.

To address climate change effects and minimize disruptions to commercial activities, flood protection works are envisaged in Laropi. Additionally, a one-stop border post is slated for construction in Afoji/Jale on the Uganda-South Sudan border, aimed at bolstering trade and transport activities and streamlining customs harmonization and border-crossing coordination.

The African Development Bank highlights that, as of November 2023, its active portfolio in Uganda encompasses 23 projects with a total commitment of $1,957 million, underscoring the institution’s sustained commitment to developmental endeavours within the country.