In the early 2010s, a 27-kilometer project for a four-lane, dual carriageway connecting Busega (Kampala) to Mpigi was conceived as part of an effort to decongest the city and improve regional trade links.
In 2017, the project secured an initial loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the African Development Fund (ADF), valued at approximately US$151 million (about Shs547 billion at the time) out of a total cost of around US$192 million, the original financing and contract price.
By July 2019, the construction contract was awarded to a consortium of Chinese companies, including China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and in May 2020, physical works officially began. Initial completion was projected for the second half of 2022 or 2023
Challenges and Delays
The project faced significant setbacks leading to time and cost overruns and thus included;
- COVID-19 Pandemic: Disrupted work schedules and logistics.
- Protracted Land Acquisition & Compensation: Major issues with acquiring land and compensating Project Affected Persons (PAPs). The number of PAPs increased from an original estimate, and compensation disputes led to legal battles, notably involving a culturally significant tree.
- Inadequate Initial Designs: The original contract was reportedly based on designs that were not fully detailed, leading to the need for a comprehensive overhaul.
- Increased Scope: The redesign significantly increased the scope of work to ensure the road functioned effectively as a toll road, adding new features.
In March 2022, only about 15% of the work was done. The completion date was revised to 2025
As of September 2024, Physical progress was estimated at around 43% while January 2025 physical progress was estimated at around 46%. The completion date was pushed forward to September 2027.
The Shs 874 billion Approval updates (November 2025)
