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Uganda’s Kitgum-Kidepo Road Upgrade

Following the reintegration of the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) into the MoWT in 2024, the ministry has taken full responsibility for delivering this vital project.

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In a landmark decision, Uganda’s Parliament has authorized the government to secure a loan of €110.5 million (approximately Shs 450 billion) from Standard Chartered Bank. This funding will go towards upgrading the 115.8-kilometer Kitgum-Kidepo Road, a crucial infrastructure project that will connect the Kitgum and Kaabong districts in northern Uganda. The project aims to enhance tourism, improve regional connectivity, and address the socioeconomic challenges faced by the impoverished Karamoja subregion.

The Kitgum-Kidepo Road Project, led by the Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT), involves rehabilitating an existing gravel road that extends from Kitgum town to the outskirts of Kidepo Valley National Park. Following the reintegration of the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) into the MoWT in 2024, the ministry has taken full responsibility for delivering this vital project. The upgrade will transform the current Class C1 gravel road, which suffers from potholes, ruts, and poor drainage, into a high-quality, paved road. The project also includes widening the carriageway, improving drainage systems, and constructing two bridges to ensure year-round accessibility.

The road’s strategic location makes it crucial for unlocking agricultural productivity in Kitgum and Karenga districts, facilitating trade with South Sudan and Kenya, and promoting tourism by improving access to Kidepo Valley National Park, one of Uganda’s premier wildlife destinations.

On April 30, 2024, during a plenary session presided over by Speaker Anita Among, Hon. Henry Musasizi, the Minister of State for Finance, advocated for the loan’s approval. He emphasized the road’s importance in addressing the Karamoja subregion’s low road density, only 5.9 kilometers of paved roads per 1,000 square kilometers, and its potential to drive economic growth. “This road is critical for tourism and regional development,” he stated, pointing out that poor infrastructure has hindered Uganda’s ability to fully realize its tourism potential.

Despite broad support for the loan, the approval process faced scrutiny. Legislators, including the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Joel Senyonyi, raised concerns about skipping a report from the House Committee on National Economy and the lack of transparency regarding the loan’s terms, such as interest rates and repayment schedules. Senyonyi warned about the risks of approving loans without thorough vetting, citing past problematic agreements. A motion by Government Chief Whip Hon. Denis Hamson Obua to waive the committee report requirement ultimately prevailed, reflecting Parliament’s commitment to addressing infrastructure deficits. The government has pledged that the loan will align with Uganda’s fiscal sustainability goals, with further details available through the Ministry of Finance.

An Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) conducted in June 2024 ensures compliance with national and international standards, including the IFC’s Performance Standards and Equator Principles IV. The project will traverse open woodlands and semi-arid vegetation, avoiding critical habitats but will result in the loss of 14.4 hectares of natural habitat in the Nyangea-Napore Forest Reserve. Mitigation measures will address vegetation clearance, waste management, and dust emissions. The project will impact 59 culturally significant shea butter trees, which are valued for their spiritual, medicinal, and economic importance, as well as archaeological sites, including Iron Age pottery. Mitigation strategies include documentation, selective rerouting where feasible, and community consultations to preserve cultural heritage.

Socioeconomically, the project will benefit 158,549 individuals across the Kitgum and Karenga districts by improving access to markets, schools, and health facilities. Extensive stakeholder engagement, including focus groups with women, youth, and community leaders, has helped shape the project’s design. A grievance redress mechanism will ensure ongoing community feedback and conflict resolution. Challenges such as involuntary resettlement and gender-based violence will be mitigated through cash compensation, livelihood restoration initiatives, and community sensitization, with special attention given to vulnerable groups.

The upgraded Kitgum-Kidepo Road is poised to deliver transformative benefits, including:

  • Tourism Boost: Improved access to Kidepo Valley National Park is expected to increase visitor numbers, supporting Uganda’s Vision 2040 goal of promoting tourism and potentially boosting regional tourism revenue.
  • Economic Growth: Enhanced connectivity will facilitate domestic and cross-border trade, unlocking agricultural potential and creating hundreds of local jobs during construction, with further economic impact assessments underway.
  • Social Impact: Year-round, safe passage will improve access to education, healthcare, and markets while reducing travel times. The upgrade will introduce speed bumps, signage, and pedestrian crossings to address current safety gaps, such as the low helmet usage (17%) among bodaboda cyclists and inadequate road markings.
  • Environmental Benefits: A sealed road will reduce dust emissions, improving air quality and public health.

While the project holds immense promise, it faces challenges, including managing construction-related disruptions and ensuring equitable benefits. Mitigation measures include dust suppression, community sensitization on road safety, and adherence to a Resettlement Action Plan to support affected individuals. The road’s climate-resilient design, featuring elevated embankments, stormwater management, and a Climate Risk Monitoring Framework, will mitigate flood risks in a region with bimodal rainfall. The Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT) will implement a robust monitoring framework to track environmental, social, and economic outcomes, with regular community feedback to ensure accountability.

The approval of the Kitgum-Kidepo Road upgrade marks a pivotal moment for Uganda’s northeastern region. By addressing infrastructure deficiencies, the project aligns with national development goals and sets the stage for economic and social transformation. As implementation progresses, stakeholders must ensure transparent execution and robust mitigation to maximize benefits for communities, businesses, and tourists. A map of the road’s route is available through the MoWT’s project documentation.

This historic investment in Uganda’s infrastructure underscores the government’s dedication to fostering inclusive growth and unlocking the potential of one of its most underserved regions. The Kitgum-Kidepo Road is not just a pathway; it is a gateway to a brighter future.

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