The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) Executive Director, Allen Kagina, recently toured key infrastructure sites and engaged with communities along the Kapchorwa-Suam-Kitale-Eldoret road project. In her remarks, Kagina emphasised the importance of these road projects in transforming Eastern Uganda and Western Kenya, particularly through improved access, regional integration, and local economic upliftment.
While engaging local leaders of the sub region at Suam border, Kagina detailed UNRA’s commitment to maintaining roads even after major construction is complete, as she encouraged responsible use. “Once major works are completed, our teams will shift focus to maintenance, ensuring these critical assets remain in good condition. However, we also urge local communities to avoid misusing the roads—drying maize on roads, for instance, compromises their longevity and intended purpose,” she explained.
With maintenance efforts, UNRA hopes to sustain the value of these roads, not only for locals but also for regional trade. Kagina’s call for responsible road use reflects the need for shared responsibility between the government and local communities to protect these investments.
Reflecting on the broader economic role of roads, Kagina stressed the importance of maximising trade, tourism, and investment alongside infrastructure. “Roads alone don’t create economic value; they are catalysts for other sectors to flourish,” she stated. Kagina called on local leaders to promote the roads as assets to attract business, trade, and tourism, which will ultimately fuel regional growth.
UNRA is conducting economic and social impact assessments to evaluate how these projects contribute to Uganda’s long-term objectives, like increased trade and better connectivity. The Executive Director highlighted that a road’s success goes beyond kilometres laid; it depends on the increased opportunities it creates for local communities and the returns on investment it delivers.
The flagship project Kagina inspected, the Kapchorwa-Suam-Kitale and Eldoret Bypass Roads Project, is a 73 km road that links Uganda and Kenya at the Suam border. This project, costing USD 105.76 million, is jointly funded by the AfDB, the African Development Fund, and the Government of Uganda. It aims to foster economic and social connections within the East African Community (EAC), strengthening trade, reducing travel costs, and improving transport services for eastern Uganda and western Kenya.
Kagina highlighted the project’s objectives, stating that these road links represent more than a boundary-crossing infrastructure, they are tools for creating sustainable economic growth, employment opportunities, and improved regional integration. For residents of the districts of Kapchorwa, Kween, and Bukwo, the improved road provides much-needed access to small towns and essential services, enhancing both daily life and business operations.
The Kapchorwa-Suam project not only includes the 73 km of bitumen road but also 20 km of town roads, 11 bridges, footbridges, and the Suam One-Stop Border Post, designed to streamline trade and reduce border-crossing delays. The infrastructure upgrades aim to reduce travel time, improve road safety, and make cross-border trade more efficient.
Kagina noted that this project’s influence goes beyond transport improvements; it incorporates community benefits such as employment, skills training, and compensation. During the project, local communities received training in modern construction techniques, as well as support for alternative livelihoods like beekeeping. Kagina highlighted that the project had a significant economic impact on local communities, who not only gained jobs but also learned valuable skills they could apply beyond the construction project.
Understanding the importance of community well-being, the project also prioritised health and safety interventions. Kaproron Post Crash Care Centre received a complete refurbishment, and two ambulances were procured for Kween and Bukwo districts. Additionally, the project incorporated HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns and road safety training to promote health and safety among residents and road users. The focus on healthcare and community support underscores the holistic approach UNRA and its partners are taking to enhance local resilience and improve lives.
On the issue of land compensation, Kagina reassured local residents that pending compensation issues, including payments related to market areas, are being addressed. “We expect a report this week, and payments for unresolved matters will soon follow,” she said, acknowledging the patience and cooperation of those affected. UNRA has disbursed UGX 67.8 billion to support land compensation for the Kapchorwa-Suam road project, ensuring that community members are justly compensated for any disruptions caused by construction.
Kagina highlighted UNRA’s ongoing commitment to quality and accountability, assuring community members that all roads will undergo stringent safety and quality tests before being handed over. “No road will be left unchecked. Every crack, every defect must be addressed so that our infrastructure stands the test of time,” she asserted.
Local leaders who attended the tour expressed optimism, recognising the project’s potential to uplift the area’s economy once fully operational. During an engagement at the Suam One-Stop Border Post, leaders and community members shared their hopes that the new infrastructure would attract business, support trade, and create jobs. They praised the government’s efforts in realising this project and voiced excitement for the one-stop border post’s upcoming full-scale operations, which they believe will further enhance cross-border trade and mobility.
In response o the various issues raised by the area leadership, Kagina encouraged collaboration among community leaders to maximise the potential of these new roads, positioning them as pillars of economic transformation. With continued local support, road projects like the Kapchorwa-Suam-Kitale-Eldoret route stand as testaments to the power of infrastructure in catalysing development, improving lives, and fostering regional integration.
By prioritising economic growth, community welfare, and road quality, UNRA’s projects highlight the vital role of infrastructure in addressing Uganda’s socio-economic needs and these are the reasons that the National Resistance Movement keeps raising in its manifesto.
