The African Development Bank (AfDB) has allocated an additional €217 million to fund the Busega–Mpigi and Kagitumba–Kayonza–Rusumo Roads Project, a vital 27km expressway linking Uganda and Rwanda. This brings the total funding for the project to €424 million. Once completed, the expressway will drastically reduce travel time between Kampala, Uganda’s capital, and Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, from over two hours to just 45 minutes.
The expressway project is designed to enhance access to markets, improve social services, and ease congestion in Busega and Mpigi, which currently serve as a bottleneck for travelers between the two capitals. The new financing will help fund the construction of key infrastructure, including interchanges, bridges, toll areas, and service lanes, with a particular focus on the Busega Interchange.
Financing Breakdown and Job Creation
The €217 million additional financing comprises a €188 million loan from AfDB, with the remainder provided by the Ugandan government and AfDB’s African Development Fund. The project is expected to generate 1,200 jobs—800 during construction and 400 once the expressway is operational.
The initial estimated cost of the project was €176 million, but due to the expanded scope, the total cost has risen to €424 million. This reflects the growing ambition to create a modern, world-class road infrastructure that will have significant socio-economic benefits for the region.
A Lifeline for Regional Trade and Connectivity
In 2016, AfDB provided €210 million in loans and grants to the Governments of Uganda and Rwanda for the Busega–Mpigi leg of the expressway. The project’s completion will not only improve regional connectivity but also serve as a lifeline for communities, boosting trade and economic activities across both countries.
George Makajuma, the AfDB’s principal transport engineer, emphasized the importance of the expressway, saying, “This project is more than a road; it is a lifeline for communities and a gateway for trade. The additional financing ensures that the Busega–Mpigi Expressway delivers safer, faster, and more inclusive transport for millions, unlocking the region’s economic potential.”
Construction Timeline
The additional €217 million in financing will allow for construction to resume in January 2026, with completion scheduled for December 2029, and full operational readiness expected by 2030.
The Busega–Mpigi Expressway is part of a larger infrastructure initiative aimed at enhancing trade and transportation between Uganda and Rwanda, ultimately contributing to the East African region’s development and economic integration.
 has allocated €217m to fund the Uganda-Rwanda expressway, cutting travel time between Kampala and Kigali while boosting regional trade and connectivity.){kind=link}