Uganda’s Minister of Finance Planning and Economic Development Matia Kasaija and East Africa Regional Development and Business Delivery Office Director General Gabriel Negatu, have signed loan agreements with the African Development Bank (AfDB) for a new express highway project.

As per the terms of the agreement, the financial institutions have agreed to offer African Development Fund loan of $151m for the multinational Uganda-Rwanda Busega-Mpigi express highway project, which will offer better connectivity between both regions.

The loan will be used towards construction of 23.7km four-lane express highway on a new alignment with four grade-separated interchanges.

Kasaija noted that the highway project would improve transport services in central Uganda as well as contribute to regional integration.

Negatu added that the Busega-Mpigi express highway project will cost $192m, of which Bank will be financing $151m.

He further stated that, as large volumes of traffic is expected on the project road,

The project will also have an Operations and Maintenance Concession in order to address the project future maintenance requirements.

The AfDB Director General urged for additional efforts in order to eliminate delays in the future.

Image: Uganda’s Minister of Finance Planning and Economic Development Matia Kasaija and East Africa Regional Development and Business Delivery Office Director General Gabriel Negatu. Photo: courtesy of African Development Bank Group.