The African Development Bank Group has approved an additional €217.37 million to accelerate the completion of the Multinational Busega–Mpigi and Kagitumba–Kayonza–Rusumo Roads Project, a major infrastructure initiative aimed at strengthening regional connectivity and trade between Uganda and Rwanda.
The new financing will support the construction of modern interchanges, bridges, toll plazas, and service lanes, including the vital Busega Interchange that connects the expressway to the Northern Bypass. These developments are designed to ease severe traffic congestion along the Busega–Mpigi section of the Northern Corridor, one of the busiest trade routes linking Kampala and Kigali.
In addition to roadworks, the funding will cover land compensation, project management, and capacity-building support for Uganda’s Ministry of Works and Transport, ensuring smooth project execution following recent institutional reforms.
Once completed, the 27.3-kilometer expressway will drastically cut travel time from more than two hours to under 45 minutes, improving access to markets, jobs, and essential services for over one million residents and traders in the surrounding communities. The total cost of the Uganda section has now risen to €424.61 million from the original €176.26 million, reflecting an expanded project scope. The Bank Group’s contribution comprises an ADB loan of €188.18 million, an ADF loan of €28.31 million, and a NEPAD IPPF grant of $1 million, while the Government of Uganda will add €30.98 million.
The upgraded project will also include seven new bridges and 54 kilometers of lined drainage channels. Beyond improving transport, it is expected to create over 1,200 jobs — 800 during construction and 400 during operations — with at least 30% of opportunities reserved for women and youth. The initiative will also promote women’s empowerment through entrepreneurship and skills development linked to roadside economic ventures.
“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 Bank’s approval comes as Uganda continues to scale up its infrastructure investments to drive economic growth and competitiveness. The improved expressway is expected to reduce travel costs, enhance regional trade efficiency, and generate sustainable employment. Construction under the new financing is set to begin in January 2026 and conclude by December 2029, with full project completion anticipated in 2030.
