Kalungu West MP, Joseph Gonzaga Ssewungu, has urged government to draw up a comprehensive infrastructure plan that ensures fair road construction and upgrading across all districts, especially newly created ones.
Ssewungu raised the concern during Tuesday’s plenary session, September 16, 2025, chaired by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, as State Minister for Finance (General Duties) Henry Musasizi tabled a US$20 million (about UGX 70.1 billion) loan request from the Arab Bank for Development in Africa (BADEA). The loan is earmarked to upgrade 16 kilometers of the Nebbi-Goli Road.
The legislator questioned why Ugandans from districts without tarmac roads should continue repaying loans that largely benefit only select regions.
“Why not give priority to some of these new districts whenever we source loans? At least three or five could benefit each year,” Ssewungu argued. “People from Kalungu are paying, people from Mitooma are paying, yet new districts have no tarmac roads except those leading to main highways.”
Concerns Over Partial Road Funding
Minister Musasizi acknowledged the demand but cited budget limitations.
“I take note of Hon. Ssewungu’s desire to tarmac roads to every district. However, Mr. Speaker, we do not have the funds in the medium term to complete all these roads,” Musasizi responded.
Zombo Woman MP Esther Afoyochan criticized the plan for covering only 16km of the 120km Nebbi-Goli Road.
“This feels like an insult to Greater Nebbi. In previous approvals, other districts have received loans for hundreds of kilometers, yet Greater Nebbi is limited to just 16km,” she said.
Push for Committee Scrutiny
Tororo Woman MP Sarah Opendi advised that MPs channel their concerns through the Parliamentary Committee on National Economy, which will scrutinize the loan proposal.
Deputy Speaker Tayebwa concurred but emphasized that the committee’s mandate would remain limited to the 16km under the proposed loan.
“It is not an error, because the loan is only for USD 20 million. However, a 120km road reduced to just 16km leaves much to be desired,” he noted.
Broader Debate on Road Equity
The debate highlights persistent tensions over road development in new districts, where residents and MPs argue that resource allocation has been uneven.
As of 2025, Uganda’s road network stands at approximately 159,366 kilometers:
Tarmacked Roads: 6,287 km, up from 3,112 km in 2010/11.
Urban Areas: Kampala has 646 km tarmacked, about 30% of its 2,100 km network.
National Roads: About 13% of the total network.
Gravel/Earth Roads: The rest remain highly vulnerable to weather disruptions.
Eastern Uganda hosts 18.7% of the tarmac network, while northern and western regions remain underserved.
Current priorities include the Nebbi-Goli upgrade and calls for more balanced investments in new districts. Lawmakers insist equitable road development is critical for improving connectivity, stimulating local economies, and addressing long-standing regional disparities.
The Source Reports.
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