The Ugandan government has attributed delays in several key road and bridge projects to a significant funding gap faced by the Ministry of Works and Transport. This information was disclosed by General Edward Katumba Wamala, the Minister of Works and Transport, during a presentation on the state of road infrastructure in Uganda to parliament.
In the financial year 2025/26, the government allocated 3.1 trillion shillings to the ministry for ongoing projects, land acquisition, counterpart obligations, and to settle arrears amounting to 1 trillion shillings. However, this has resulted in a substantial funding gap of 2.472 trillion shillings.
Minister Wamala informed parliament that 18 government-funded projects have seen contractors suspend or slow down work due to delays in payments. Additionally, nine externally financed projects are experiencing setbacks as the government struggles to provide timely counterpart funding for essential costs such as land acquisition and taxes.
Among the key projects affected by these delays are: 72 km Kampala–Jinja Highway, Najjanankumbi–Busabala Road, Mityana–Mubende Road, Masindi–Biiso Road, Kabale–Kiziranfumbi Road, Moroto–Lokitanyala Road, Katonga Bridge, Lwera and Kalandazi along Masaka Road
The situation highlights the urgent need for the government to address its funding challenges to ensure the timely completion of critical infrastructure projects across the country.
