Kampala: The poor state of Uganda's road infrastructure and the increasing number of road accident fatalities were the focal points of a recent plenary session in Parliament, as Members of Parliament (MPs) called for urgent government intervention to resolve funding deficiencies, stalled road projects, and deteriorating road safety conditions.
According to African Press Organization, during the plenary held on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, emphasized the need for a comprehensive and proactive approach to road maintenance and safety. This call to action followed a series of tragic road accidents, including a recent incident on the Hoima-Buliisa Road in Kigorobya that resulted in the deaths of at least 20 traders and left several others injured.
Hon. Gorreth Namugga (NUP, Mawogola South) highlighted the urgent need for funding critical road infrastructure, including Shs1.1 trillion in arrears and Shs850 billion for periodic maintenance. She underscored the necessity of securing financial resources rather than lamenting the current state of affairs.
In response, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, Minister for Works and Transport, warned of potential fiscal losses if the backlog of road maintenance is not addressed swiftly. He noted that rehabilitation costs are significantly higher than periodic maintenance, projecting preventable losses up to Shs180 billion. The Ministry faces a funding gap of Shs2.472 trillion for the financial year 2025/2026, including arrears and costs for land acquisition, with numerous road projects stalled due to delayed payments and lack of funding.
Minister Katumba reported that contractors have been engaged for several key road projects and adjustments have been made to redeploy resources for urgent repairs. However, Speaker Among raised broader concerns about the quality of road construction and Uganda's dependency on external funding. She cited President Museveni's directive to allocate Shs3.2 trillion for specific road projects, emphasizing the need for sustainable financing solutions.
The discussion also addressed road safety, with MPs pointing to poor infrastructure, reckless driving, and inadequate signage as contributing factors to the crisis. Recommendations included prioritizing road markings, improving transport systems for traders, and enhancing road safety enforcement through new units and expanded CCTV coverage.
Speaker Among concluded by asserting Parliament's responsibility to ensure follow-through on road infrastructure and safety improvements.