Government has maintained more than 25,000 kilometres of roads across the country since 2023, significantly improving transport infrastructure and citizen mobility, according to the Assistant Commissioner for District and Community Access Roads, Emmanuel Twinamatsiko.
Speaking during Spotlight Uganda on NBS Television on Monday, under the theme “Challenges facing transport infrastructure and citizen mobility in Uganda,” Twinamatsiko said the progress followed the introduction of a dedicated road maintenance grant to local governments.
He explained that since 2023, districts, cities, and municipalities have been receiving the grant, enabling them to carry out routine and periodic maintenance of community access roads nationwide.
“Since the introduction of the road maintenance grant in 2023, local governments have been able to maintain a total of 25,000 kilometres of roads,” Twinamatsiko said.
He noted that in the last financial year alone, government maintained about 12,000 kilometres of roads and carried out spot graveling works on approximately 3,700 kilometres, particularly in areas vulnerable to deterioration during rainy seasons.
Twinamatsiko also highlighted progress under the Urban Roads Upgrading Project, through which about 90 kilometres of urban roads have been upgraded, improving connectivity, reducing travel time, and supporting economic activity in towns and cities.
Beyond urban areas, he emphasized the importance of additional funding to local governments through programmes such as the Rural Transport Infrastructure Project (RTIP), which he said is critical to opening up rural communities.
“These interventions are not just about roads. They are directly linked to achieving the objectives of the Parish Development Model by improving access to markets, social services, and economic opportunities,” he said.
Despite the gains, Twinamatsiko acknowledged ongoing challenges, including limited funding, climate-related damage to road infrastructure, and rising traffic volumes.
He, however, reaffirmed government’s commitment to strengthening transport infrastructure as a key driver of national development.