The Ugandan government has secured over 481 billion shillings ( €110.5 million) to finance the construction of the 115.8-kilometre Kitgum–Kidepo Road.
The financing agreement was signed on Tuesday by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Henry Musasizi, and Standard Chartered Bank Uganda Chief Executive Officer Sanjay Rughani. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Musasizi said the project forms part of the government’s broader infrastructure programme under the National Development Plan and will improve regional connectivity while supporting economic transformation.
He said the road will ease movement of people and goods, connect farmers to markets, improve access to social services and strengthen regional trade in line with the African Transport Market Strategy. Musasizi added that the highway will support major investments already underway in Karamoja, including the more than US$300 million Yaobai Cement and Clinker Factory in Moroto, while complementing the planned US$72 million Kidepo International Airport, whose construction was recently launched by President Museveni.
“Today’s signing is not simply about financing a road. It is about investing in Uganda’s future. It is about connecting farmers to markets, industries to raw materials, tourists to destinations and businesses to opportunity,” Musasizi said. Rughani described the project as a strategic investment that aligns with Standard Chartered’s commitment to supporting Uganda’s long-term development priorities.”The Kitgum–Kidepo Road is a strategic investment that reinforces our long-term role as a trusted Corporate and Investment Bank,” he said.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by the Minister of Works and Transport, Fred Byamukama; the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Tom Butime; the Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Sanjay Tanna; British High Commissioner Lisa Chesney; and representatives of government agencies and development partners.
The Kitgum–Kidepo Road is expected to play a key role in unlocking the economic potential of Northern Uganda and Karamoja by improving access to tourism destinations, supporting industrial investment and strengthening trade links with neighbouring South Sudan and Kenya.
The road has long been identified as a strategic transport corridor because it provides the main gateway to Kidepo Valley National Park while linking communities in Kitgum and Kaabong districts. Once completed, the all-weather highway is expected to reduce travel times, lower transport costs and stimulate tourism, trade and private investment across Northern Uganda and Karamoja.
For years, motorists, tourists and traders have relied on a gravel road that becomes difficult to navigate during the rainy season, limiting access to one of Uganda’s premier national parks and constraining economic activity in a region with significant agricultural, mining and tourism potential. URN