Parliament has approved a loan worth £216.3 million (approximately 886 billion shillings) from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to finance the construction of the long-awaited Mpigi–Busega Expressway, which is expected to ease traffic congestion along the Kampala–Masaka Road.
The approved financing comprises £188 million (about 770 billion shillings) and an additional £28.3 million (about 116 billion shillings) in loans from the AfDB.
The expressway, which will operate as a toll road, is designed to provide a faster and more efficient alternative route for motorists, similar to the Entebbe Expressway.
Once completed, the project will link Busega on the Northern Bypass to Mpigi Town, significantly reducing travel time for thousands of commuters who endure heavy traffic, particularly during festive seasons when many people travel to upcountry destinations.
The expressway is also expected to boost trade and connectivity between Kampala and southwestern Uganda by improving access for goods and passenger transport.
The Busega–Mpigi Expressway project had earlier stalled due to funding constraints, leaving major sections incomplete. A recent on-site assessment revealed that substantial work is still required before the road can be opened to the public.
The new funding will help resume and expedite the construction works, ensuring the project’s completion in line with national infrastructure priorities.