A major infrastructure boost is on the horizon after Parliament approved a loan worth £216.3 million (about Shs 886 billion) from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to finance the long-delayed Mpigi–Busega Expressway. The highway, once completed, is expected to drastically ease the chronic traffic jams along the Kampala–Masaka Road and strengthen trade links between the capital and southwestern Uganda.

The new financing includes £188 million (approximately Shs 770 billion) and an additional £28.3 million (around Shs 116 billion) in concessional loans from the AfDB. Lawmakers hailed the decision as a crucial step toward improving transport efficiency and reducing travel time for thousands of motorists who endure daily gridlock between Busega and Mpigi, one of the busiest corridors in the country. The expressway will operate as a toll road, similar to the Entebbe Expressway, allowing for smoother traffic flow and faster connectivity between key economic hubs.

According to the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Mpigi–Busega Expressway will stretch approximately 23 kilometers, linking the Northern Bypass at Busega to Mpigi Town. The project is designed to accommodate high-speed travel with dual carriageways, modern interchanges, and well-marked pedestrian crossings. Engineers believe that, once operational, the expressway will cut travel time from Kampala to Mpigi by more than half, providing significant relief to both commuters and long-distance truck drivers who often spend hours trapped in traffic.

The expressway has been touted as a strategic infrastructure project in Uganda’s long-term transport master plan. By connecting the capital to major southwestern routes, the road will open up trade opportunities for businesses transporting goods to and from regions like Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale, and the border districts leading to Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The government says this project will not only enhance domestic commerce but also improve regional integration through more reliable cross-border transport networks.

However, the road’s journey to reality has been anything but smooth. The Busega–Mpigi Expressway has faced several years of delays due to funding gaps and contractor disputes, leaving major sections incomplete and construction works at a standstill. Local communities along the route have also raised concerns about land compensation and project interruptions that have affected small businesses and transport operators. A recent on-site inspection by government officials confirmed that substantial work remains before the road can be opened to the public, with critical stages such as bridge construction and drainage systems still pending.

The approval of the new AfDB loan now brings renewed optimism that the project will finally gain momentum. Officials from the Ministry of Finance have assured Parliament that the funds will be managed prudently to avoid further setbacks. They emphasized that resuming and completing the expressway aligns with Uganda’s broader national development agenda, particularly in improving infrastructure to support industrialization and job creation. The Ministry of Works is also expected to closely monitor implementation timelines to ensure the project meets international engineering and safety standards.

The government has framed the expressway as part of its broader effort to modernize transport infrastructure, alongside other major projects like the Kampala Flyover, the Jinja Expressway, and ongoing oil road developments in the Albertine region. For many Ugandans, especially frequent travelers between Kampala and Masaka, the completion of the Mpigi–Busega Expressway cannot come soon enough. Motorists often spend over two hours navigating the 23-kilometer stretch, especially during peak hours or festive seasons, when traffic surges to unbearable levels.

With Parliament’s approval of the Shs 886 billion loan, the long-stalled project now has a lifeline. The government hopes that by restoring momentum to the expressway, Uganda will not only reduce traffic congestion but also create jobs, stimulate investment, and position the country as a transport hub in East Africa. For commuters weary of endless jams and dust-choked detours, the promise of a smooth, modern expressway finally feels within reach.