The African Development Bank (AfDB) has injected an additional €217m into a 27km expressway linking Rwanda and Uganda, bringing the total investment for the project to €424m.
The Busega–Mpigi and Kagitumba–Kayonza–Rusumo Roads Project is expected to slash travel time between Rwanda’s capital Kigali and Uganda’s capital Kampala from over two hours to just 45 minutes.
The project aims to improve access to markets, social services, and reduce congestion in Busega and Mpigi, which currently form a major bottleneck between the two capitals.
The new funding will cover construction of interchanges, bridges, toll areas, and service lanes, including the key Busega Interchange.
The €217m package comprises a €188m loan, with additional contributions from the Ugandan government and the AfDB’s subsidiary, the African Development Fund.
The project is expected to create 1,200 jobs, with 800 during construction and 400 during the expressway’s operation.
Originally estimated at €176m, the project’s cost rose due to an expanded scope of work.
In 2016, AfDB had already provided €210m in loans and grants to support the Busega–Mpigi section of the expressway.
In 2024, it was announced that the 25.7km Busega–Mpigi Expressway would be built by a Chinese state-owned joint venture between China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and its subsidiary, China Railway 19th Bureau Group.
George Makajuma, AfDB’s principal transport engineer, said: “This project is more than a road; it is a lifeline for communities and a gateway for trade. The additional financing ensures the Busega–Mpigi Expressway delivers safer, faster, and more inclusive transport for millions, unlocking the region’s economic potential.”
Construction is set to resume in January 2026, with completion expected by December 2029 and full operations by 2030.
