The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group has approved an additional €217.37 million (Shs 874.4 billion) for the Multinational Busega–Mpigi and Kagitumba–Kayonza–Rusumo Roads Project, reinforcing Uganda and Rwanda’s shared vision of enhanced regional connectivity and trade.
The additional financing will support the construction of new interchanges, bridges, toll plazas, and service lanes, including the Busega Interchange, which will link the expressway to the Northern Bypass. These improvements are expected to ease chronic traffic congestion between Busega and Mpigi—a key bottleneck along the Northern Corridor connecting Kampala to Kigali.
Funds will also cover land compensation, project management, and capacity-building for Uganda’s Ministry of Works and Transport, ensuring effective implementation following recent institutional reforms.
Upon completion, the 27.3-kilometre expressway will reduce travel time from over two hours to less than 45 minutes, improving access to markets and social services for more than one million residents and traders in Busega, Mpigi, and surrounding communities.
The total cost of the upgraded Uganda section now stands at €424.61 million (Shs 1.7 trillion), up from the original €176.26 million (Shs 709 billion), reflecting the project’s expanded scope. The Bank Group’s contribution of €217.37 million (Shs 874.4 billion) comprises an ADB loan of €188.18 million (Shs 757 billion), an ADF loan of €28.31 million (Shs 113.8 billion), and a NEPAD IPPF grant of $1 million, while the Government of Uganda will contribute €30.98 million (Shs 124.6 billion).
Additional components include the construction of seven new bridges and 54 kilometres of lined drainage channels. The project is expected to create over 1,200 jobs—about 800 during construction and 400 during operation—with at least 30% of opportunities reserved for women and youth. It will also empower women through entrepreneurship and skills development initiatives tied to roadside economic opportunities.
“This project is more than a road; it is a lifeline for communities and a gateway for trade,” said George Makajuma, the Bank’s Principal Transport Engineer and Project Task Manager. “The additional financing ensures that the Busega–Mpigi Expressway delivers safer, faster, and more inclusive transport for millions, unlocking the region’s economic potential.”
The Board’s decision comes as Uganda continues to prioritize infrastructure investment to spur economic growth and enhance regional competitiveness. Once completed, the expressway will reduce travel time, lower transport costs, and boost trade and employment across the region.
Construction under the additional financing is scheduled to begin in January 2026 and conclude by December 2029, with full project completion expected in 2030.
