The President of Uganda Yoweri Museveni has launched the upgrade works of an 87.6-kilometer road. This Kayunga-Bbaale-Galiraya Road Upgrade Project also includes the construction of a ferry and bridge landing site, in Kayunga District in central Uganda.
Museveni was accompanied by the Chinese Ambassador to Uganda Zhang Lizhong to flag off the two-year construction of the Kayunga-Bbaale-Galiraya road on Friday in Kayunga town.
Kayunga-Bbaale-Galiraya Road Upgrade Project Factsheet
Location: the road os located in central eegion of Uganda. It links Kayunga town through Bbaale to Galiraya on the shores of Lake Kyoga.
Length: 87 kilometers.
Cost: Shs213.9 billion. This is approximately $57 million.
Contractor: China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC).
Project timeline: it is expected to be completed within 24 months from the official commissioning date which is July 11, 2025.
Ancillary developments: other than the main road works, the government will also build a ferry landing site at Galiraya (Kawongo) to support cross-lake transportation. Additionally, plans are underway to include town roads in the future.
Developer/Contractor
The road upgrade project will be undertaken by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC). The company will upgrade the road from gravel to bituminous (tarmac) standard. This will eventually improve connectivity between central Uganda and the northern and eastern regions via Lake Kyoga.
Also read: 1,100-Kilometer Uganda-South Sudan-CAR Road Construction Launched
Significance of the Project
“We have been planning to upgrade the road for a long time. This road is strategic road. It reduces the distance between northern Uganda and Kampala,” Museveni stated. Also, he noted that improved roads would enable farmers transport their produce to markets more easily.
According to the Chinese ambassador, he stated that China appreciates and supports Uganda’s focus on infrastructure development. He mainly emphasized on road construction being a critical aspect in national wealth creation.
“China is pleased to be part of the infrastructure development of Uganda. China’s support is mainly through investment, financing, and technical support,” Zhang stated. “There is a well-known Chinese saying: ‘To get rich, build roads first.”
Significance of Chinese Enterprises Undertaking Projects in Uganda
Addiyionally, Zhang stated that Chinese enterprises involved in infrastructure projects create jobs. Additionally, the enterprises also continue to pass knowledge and skills to local communities.
Furthermore, Ugandan Minister of Works and Transport Katumba Wamala stated that once the road will be upgraded, it would cut travel time between northern and central Uganda by hours. This would therefore facilitate trade and promote regional integration. “The travel time will be greatly reduced, which is a key aspect for the business community. The longer they spend on the road, the more money they lose,” Katumba stated.
Additionally, Li Changgui who is the deputy general manager of CRBC promised to finish the project on time. The project is expected to unlock the region’s potential and boost social and economic growth.
Other Chinese-funded Projects in Uganda
Lastly, China has funded several major road projects in Uganda. These projects include the flagship Kampala-Entebbe Expressway, which links the capital to Entebbe International Airport, the country’s main gateway to the world.
Also read: Bid Opening for Uganda’s $1.4 Billion Kampala-Jinja Expressway Marks a Key Milestone on the Project
