Infrastructure Development in Roads, Railways and Energy
Priority allocations are being made to power generation, road networks, irrigation schemes, schools and improvement of health infrastructure. This builds on our steady progress made in these areas over the past years.
Transport Infrastructure
In the transport sector the government has allocated funds towards implementation of the following key projects, among other activities:-
- Commencement of upgrading to bitumen of the following roads:- Moroto – Nakapiripirit (93km), Hoima- Kaiso- Tonya (73km), Mukono – Katosi (74km) and Mbarara – Kikagati (66km), and Ntungamo-Kakitumba (37km)Ishaka – Kagamba (35 km).
- Commence upgrading to bitumen of the following roads to improve road connectivity to Southern Sudan:- Gulu-Atiak-Bibia/Nimule and Vurra-Arua-Koboko-Oraba;
- Reconstruct Tororo-Mbale-Soroti, Lira-Kamudini-Gulu, Atiak, Moyo-Afoji and Mbarara-Ntungamo-Katuna roads;
- Continued improvement of the road network including Kabale-Kisor-Bunagana, Soroti-Dokolo-Lira; Fort Portal- Bundibugyo Lamia;Matugga-Semuto-Kapeeka and Nyakahita-Ibanda-Fort Portal –Kitagwenda roads;
- Fast tracking of the rehabilitation and continuous maintenance of national, district and community access roads; and.
- Continue the construction of key bridges across the country.
Government has also embarked on a long-term plan for improving the transport network and ease traffic congestion in metropolitan Kampala. Government embarked on the Programme for expansion of key highways leading to and from the city. Government will support the Kampala Capital City Authority, to speed up the improvement of the city’s infrastructure. The government allocates continually for the construction and maintenance of Kampala City Roads.
Furthermore, in order to improve access to the Kalangala Islands, the construction and operation of a ferry from the Mainland will be undertaken in a Public Private Partnership arrangement during the year. In addition the main island road will be improved.
In addition to the activities detailed, Government will maintain funding to the on-going road construction projects as provided for in this financial year. In the next year, governments will fast-track the completion of the various roads and embark on new ones as resources are freed from the completed projects.
Rail Transport
The rehabilitation of the Kampala – Malaba railway continues to be undertaken and the operational efficiency along the Kampala – Mombasa will be improved. The rehabilitation of the Tororo – Pakwach railway will also be undertaken. In addition, the rehabilitation of the Marine Vessel (MV) Pamba will be undertaken to restore wagon ferry transportation on Lake Victoria, and also operationalise the Southern Route through Mwanza.
Energy
To address increasing demand for electricity and also develop oil and gas reserves in the Albertine Graben (Mwitanzigye). Government has allocated funds for the following interventions:-
- Completion of the 250 MW Bujagali Hydropower Project
- Construction of the 600MW Karuma Hydropower project.
- Completion of preliminary work on 140MW Isimba hydropower plant, which will be developed with private sector financing, and also complete the feasibility of the first phase of the 600MW Ayago hydropower plant;
- Commencement of preliminary work on the construction of the Oil Refinery near Hoima , for which Shs 14.7 billion was allocated for preliminary work; ;
- Construction of a Petroleum Resources Database at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development.
Most of the above projects will be funded through a multi-pronged approach, that includes; utilization of our own domestic revenues and implementation of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), in addition to traditional sources of financing from bi-lateral and multilateral institutions and non-concessional financing.
In addition to the above major interventions, Government will continue to finance the implementation of various key projects under the energy sector particularly those under the Rural Electrification Programme.