The poor state of Uganda’s roads has been linked to a massive debt of UGX 1.3 trillion owed by the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) to contractors, according to the State Minister for Works, Hon. Musa Ecweru. The minister revealed this during a heated parliamentary debate over the worsening condition of roads and bridges across the country.

The discussion took place as lawmakers reviewed the Committee on Physical Infrastructure’s report on budget priorities for the 2025/2026 financial year. Many Members of Parliament expressed frustration over stalled road projects, blaming the government for failing to address the delays and poor maintenance. Minister Ecweru, however, shifted the blame to UNRA’s outstanding debts, explaining that the ministry inherited these financial burdens when UNRA was restructured.

Ecweru clarified that UNRA’s role was mainly to oversee contracts rather than directly manage construction. He said the failure to pay contractors had led to legal disputes, with some companies facing financial ruin. For example, Energo, the contractor handling the Mityana-Mubende road project, is owed UGX 60 billion and is now battling court cases from fuel suppliers and banks.

Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa strongly disagreed with Ecweru’s remarks, accusing him of undermining UNRA’s past contributions. Tayebwa argued that UNRA had played a crucial role in supervising road projects and ensuring contractors remained on site. He reminded the minister that UNRA’s engineers had worked diligently and deserved recognition, not dismissal.

Hon. Tonny Awany, Chairperson of the Physical Infrastructure Committee, pointed out that many road projects had been delayed due to frequent design changes, leading to cost overruns. He cited the Busega-Mpigi Expressway, whose budget ballooned from UGX 547 billion to UGX 1.3 trillion due to poor initial planning. Despite the increased spending, only 40% of the work had been completed by 2024, raising concerns about further delays and legal issues.

Awany also mentioned the Kampala-Jinja Expressway, where the government had already lost UGX 6 billion in commitment charges. These financial losses, he said, were a result of poor planning and inefficiencies in project execution.

Other MPs raised concerns about abandoned road projects. Hon. Paul Omara questioned why the government had halted the construction of the 179-kilometre Lira-Aloi-Kotido-Abim road, which passes through six districts. He noted that all preparations, including compensation and design approvals, had been completed, yet the project was dropped from the National Development Plan.

Similarly, Hon. Francis Mwijukye expressed disappointment that the Buhweju-Bushenyi road had been excluded from the upcoming budget, despite a contractor being selected and an agreement signed. He urged the ministry to explain why such critical projects were being ignored.

Hon. Eddie Kwizera criticized the government for listing 65 road projects in the budget without sufficient funding, calling it a tactic to give false hope to citizens. He questioned whether road selection was based on economic benefits or political interests, asking, “Do we use proper metrics like economic return, or do we choose roads based on where a minister’s spouse comes from?”

The debate highlighted growing frustration over Uganda’s road infrastructure crisis. While the government blames financial constraints and inherited debts, MPs argue that poor planning, mismanagement, and political interference are the real issues. As road conditions continue to deteriorate, the public is left waiting for solutions that may never come unless urgent action is taken.

The ministry now faces pressure to prioritize viable projects, settle contractor debts, and ensure transparency in road development. Without these measures, Uganda’s road network risks further decline, affecting trade, transportation, and economic growth. The ball is in the government’s court to address these concerns before the situation worsens.