Overview:
The Ministry of Works and Transport is seeking 8.3 trillion shillings for the 2026/27 financial year to jump-start stalled projects. This 40% budget increase aims to settle arrears and accelerate the Kampala-Jinja Expressway and the Standard Gauge Railway.
KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda’s Ministry of Works and Transport is seeking 8.3 trillion shillings for the 2026/27 financial year, a 40% budget increase aimed at reviving stalled infrastructure projects and clearing mounting contractor debts.
The proposal, presented by Transport Minister Gen. Katumba Wamala to a parliamentary committee last Wednesday, marks a significant jump from the current 5.9 trillion shilling allocation. Gen. Katumba told lawmakers the funding is a necessity to move toward a “seamless, safe and sustainable multi-modal transport system.”
Rescuing the road network
At the heart of the request is a 4.17 trillion shilling allocation for the road sub-sector, which has been hampered by late fund releases and unpaid arrears totaling 218.46 billion shillings. These debts have led to the suspension of work on several key national routes.
A significant portion of the request, roughly 758.38 billion shillings, is earmarked to jump-start and complete national road projects that have fallen behind schedule. The ministry also plans to spend 338 billion shillings to acquire land for the Kampala-Jinja Expressway, citing “right-of-way” disputes as a primary reason for construction delays.
Urban relief and regional corridors
To address gridlock in the capital, the ministry has proposed 44 billion shillings for a short-term engineering fix at the Busega junction and another 25 billion shillings for interchanges at Busabala and Kigo.
Beyond the city, the budget outlines an ambitious pipeline of corridor upgrades:
- The 92km Muyembe-Nakapiripirit road and the 100km Apac-Lira-Puranga road remain top priorities.
- Rehabilitation is scheduled for 55.5km of critical national roads that have deteriorated.
- Funding for district and community access roads is set to triple to 330.34 billion shillings to improve rural connectivity.
Aviation and rail expansion
The 8.3 trillion shilling plan extends beyond tarmac. The ministry is seeking 126.9 billion shillings to equip the terminal at Kabalega International Airport, which is currently 96% complete and expected to be commissioned by July.
In the rail sector, the government is moving forward with the Tororo-Gulu meter gauge line, now 66% finished, while continuing land acquisition for the Standard Gauge Railway. Uganda Airlines is also slated for a 145 billion shilling operational subsidy.
Parliamentary pushback
The scale of the request drew sharp criticism from members of the physical infrastructure committee at Speke Resort Munyonyo. Committee Chairman Tony Awany questioned why the ministry required over 126 billion shillings for an airport terminal that is nearly finished, asking if the costs were omitted from the original project scope.
MP Sarah Opendi challenged the continued support for Uganda Airlines, arguing that the 145 billion shillings would be better utilized if redirected to the railway system. Other lawmakers, including Francis Mwijukye, criticized “selective investment,” calling for more focus on “gold roads” in mineral-rich districts like Buhweju.
The Ministry of Works warned that if the budget is not approved, the cycle of stalled works and rising compensation costs will likely worsen as the 2026/27 fiscal year begins.