Uganda: ‘Delayed land acquisition stalling road works’

Implementation of road projects under the Ministry of Works and Transport has stalled due to challenges in land acquisition and insufficient counterpart funding. According to the Undersecretary (Finance and Administration), Barbara Mugambe, the two factors require substantial amounts of resources, which has prompted the ministry to align its borrowing towards funds for civil works separate from funds for land acquisition. She commended Parliament’s efforts in approving loans for transport infrastructure projects but noted that the ministry does not have adequate resources to cater for all projects. “Government has moved to change that trajectory, which is why we are borrowing money for civil works as well as money for land acquisition under the 127km Jinja-Mbulamuti-Kamuli-Mukungu road and 10km of Jinja City roads. This will help us to curb shortages regarding land acquisition,” Mugambe said. She revealed this during an interface with the Committee on National Economy where the ministry presented a report on the status of all externally funded projects. The report indicated that projects including the 23.7km Busega-Mpigi Expressway, 191km Rwenkunye-Apac-Lira-Puranga road and improv