Uganda’s parliament has issued a stark warning over the country’s crumbling road network and soaring road fatalities, urging immediate government intervention to address funding shortfalls, stalled projects and the worsening safety crisis.
In a heated plenary session on Wednesday, Speaker Anita Among called for a comprehensive strategy that tackles both infrastructure and safety following a series of deadly accidents, including one on Tuesday night along the Hoima–Buliisa road in Kigorobya, which killed at least 20 traders and left several others injured.
“If we have to improve the condition of the roads, we must also focus on road safety,” Among told MPs, citing the Uganda Police Force’s 2024 crime report, which recorded 25,107 road accidents and 25,808 fatalities. She warned of the lethal combination of poor road quality, reckless driving and weak enforcement.
Lawmakers decried widespread degradation of major routes, stalled construction, delayed compensation to affected communities and the underuse of funds allocated by the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA). Kyaka Central MP Bright Amooti condemned the state of the Kyegegwa–Kakumiro road, where over 15 trucks remain stranded. “This road was under the responsibility of the UNRA Fort Portal station, but it is no longer operational,” he said.
Mawogola South MP Gorreth Namugga pressed for immediate funding, noting Sh1.1 trillion in arrears and Sh850 billion needed for maintenance. “We are here to raise funds, not to complain,” she declared.
Works and Transport Minister Gen Edward Katumba Wamala warned that delays would triple rehabilitation costs. “Failure to act could cause an avoidable loss of up to 180 billion shillings,” he said, revealing a Sh2.472 trillion funding gap for 2025/2026. Twenty-seven road projects are currently slowed or stalled due to financing issues.
Among also voiced concern over road durability and reliance on external loans. “Most of the roads we have don’t last. And by the time we rehabilitate them, we’re still paying off the loans we took out to build them,” she said, citing a presidential directive to allocate Sh3.2 trillion for key repairs.
Debate shifted to safety, with MPs urging better signage, markings, enforcement and affordable transport options for traders. State Minister for Home Affairs David Muhoozi pledged tougher action, including a proposed road safety inspection unit and expanded surveillance.
Among concluded that parliament must now ensure the crisis is met with concrete results.
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