Full Report! Govt Lists Roads To Be Tarmacked, Rehabilitated In Major 2026/27 Plan

The Government has unveiled a major road development plan for the 2026/27 financial year, targeting the upgrading of 826.8 kilometres of national roads and rehabilitation of another 359.5 kilometres across the country.

Works and Transport Minister Fred Byamukama told Parliament that 13 road projects are planned for upgrading to tarmac, while five national roads will undergo rehabilitation, covering a combined 1,186.3 kilometres, subject to availability of funds.

The roads targeted for upgrading include Katine-Ochero, Kumi-Ngora-Serere-Kagwara, Karugutu-Ntoroko, Bubulo-Bududa Circular Road, Mbale-Nkokonjeru, Karenga-Kapedo-Kaabong, Jinja-Mbulamuti-Kamuli-Bukungu, Kitgum-Kidepo, Nebbi-Goli and Laropi-Moyo-Afoji. The programme also covers Hamurwa-Kerere-Kanungu-Kanyantorogo-Butogota-Buhoma/Hamayanja-Ifasha-Ikumba, Laropi Bridge and five kilometres of roads in Laropi and Moyo towns.

The five national roads earmarked for rehabilitation are Mbarara-Ibanda, covering 65km; Mbarara-Ishaka, 58.5km; Nebbi-Arua, 80km; Ntungamo-Kagamba-Rukungiri, 50km; and Gulu-Atiak-Nimule, 106km. Works will also be carried out on Masindi Port Bridge and Karuma Bridge.

The Government also plans to tarmac 11.5km of urban roads in Lwamata, Nkokonjeru and Katabi town councils, as well as Kira and Njeru municipalities. Another 161km of community access roads will be rehabilitated, alongside 49.8km of roads in Moroto and Nabilatuk districts to support cement production, while seven bridges are planned on district and community road networks.

Despite the planned investments, Byamukama warned that road maintenance remains seriously underfunded. Government has allocated Shs326 billion for maintaining the national road network in 2026/27, compared with an estimated requirement of Shs807 billion. He said the road network is valued at about Shs26.9 trillion, while cumulative government investment in roads has exceeded Shs37 trillion.

The minister also reported delays on some ongoing projects, with the Kayunga-Bbaale-Galiraya road project, including a landing site, at 3.8 per cent completion, while the Kabale-Lake Bunyonyi-Kisoro-Mgahinga road project stood at 2.13 per cent. He cited rising land compensation costs, climate-related infrastructure damage, limited participation of local contractors and inadequate maintenance funding among the major challenges.

Beyond roads, the ministry said passenger train services between Kampala and Jinja are expected to be extended by December, with Uganda Railways Corporation planning weekend services. In aviation, Government has committed Shs446 billion towards expanding Uganda Airlines, which plans to acquire 10 additional aircraft and introduce direct flights to Accra and Kigali. Government is also pursuing the upgrade of Arua Aerodrome into an international airport, with Koboko expected to serve as an alternative aerodrome.

The planned road upgrades have been welcomed by tourism and transport stakeholders, particularly in regions that have struggled with poor road connectivity. Kigezi tourism cluster chairperson Ivan Mbabazi Batuma said improved roads would support tourism in areas serving Bwindi and Mgahinga national parks, while Uganda Northern Drivers and Transport Network chairperson Bernard Anyeko Masanga welcomed the planned Kitgum-Kidepo upgrade, saying it would benefit both tourism and communities in the region.