Kampala, Uganda — At least 27 major road and bridge projects across Uganda have been suspended or drastically slowed down due to a severe government funding shortfall, as confirmed by Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, the Minister of Works and Transport. In a statement delivered to Parliament, the minister revealed that the delays are primarily attributed to delayed payments, land acquisition issues, and insufficient funds allocated to these essential infrastructure projects.
Key Affected Projects
Among the suspended projects, some of the most significant include the Masindi-Biiso and Kabale-Kiziranfumbi oil roads, the Kampala-Mpigi Expressway, and the Kampala-Jinja Highway. These critical routes are integral to Uganda’s national transport and economic network, and their delays are expected to hinder both local and regional trade.
“As of July 2025, 27 projects have either been fully suspended or significantly slowed down. Of these, 18 projects are funded entirely by the Government of Uganda, while nine are externally financed. For the externally financed projects, the delays are primarily caused by the government’s inability to provide timely counterpart funding,” Gen. Katumba Wamala stated.
The funding gap is substantial, with only Shs682 billion provided out of the required Shs3.153 trillion for the 2025/2026 financial year. The government is also carrying over Shs1.071 trillion in arrears from previous years, which has accumulated commercial interest and monthly cost claims from contractors.
Land Acquisition and Delayed Payments
Another issue complicating the situation is land acquisition for project sites, with Shs443 billion required for compensation. This problem has significantly impacted the progress of externally funded projects, as the necessary land access has not been secured.
Gen. Katumba further warned that Uganda’s road infrastructure is deteriorating rapidly. He highlighted that 1,993 kilometers of roads need urgent periodic maintenance, and 260 kilometers require rehabilitation.
“If not implemented, these roads degrade and require rehabilitation, which costs about Shs2.59 billion per kilometer — three times the cost of periodic maintenance,” he explained. The projected fiscal loss could be as high as Shs180 billion if the maintenance and rehabilitation work is not carried out soon.
The Financial Strain on Uganda’s Economy
The funding shortfall and delayed projects have also led to slow absorption of project resources, increased financial claims, and asset deterioration risks. These issues threaten to undermine Uganda’s ability to deliver critical national infrastructure and maintain the existing road network, which is essential for the country’s economic growth, regional integration, and service delivery.
Gen. Katumba called for urgent financial intervention, stating that without immediate attention to these issues, Uganda risks missing out on the broader benefits of its transportation infrastructure, which is crucial for both domestic and international trade.
Political and Government Response
Despite the urgency of the situation, Parliament was unable to hold a substantive debate on the funding crisis. None of the ministers from the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development were present to address the concerns raised by the Minister of Works and Transport.
Government Chief Whip, Hon. Hamson Obua, informed Parliament that the ministers were away on official engagements, which led Speaker Anita Among to hold him accountable for ensuring their attendance. The Speaker emphasized that the Chief Whip is responsible for ensuring the ministers’ presence to address such pressing issues.
Urgent Need for Financial Support
The Minister of Works and Transport has called on the Ministry of Finance and Parliament to prioritize the financing of key road and bridge projects, as the delays are causing long-term damage to Uganda’s infrastructure and economy. With the funding shortfall expected to continue in the short term, there is a growing concern that developmental projects across Uganda will continue to face similar disruptions.
Conclusion
As Uganda faces this funding crisis, there is a clear need for more effective budgeting, transparent financial management, and prioritization of infrastructure investment. With road projects contributing significantly to economic growth, delays are proving costly, and unless immediate solutions are found, the country could face further setbacks in its development journey.