Design Contracts Signed for 800 + km Road Project in Northern Uganda
KAMPALA, UGANDA The Ministry of Local Government (MoLG) has awarded contracts for the design and supervision of over 800 kilometres of community access roads in Northern Uganda, as part of the broader Rural Development and Food Security in Northern Uganda (RUDSEC) Project. The initiative is supported by the German government via the KfW development bank.
Key details
On April 30, 2025, MoLG Permanent Secretary Ben Kumumanya signed contracts with three consulting firms (UB-Consulting Engineers, Kom Consult, LEA Associates) to handle design and supervision of the works.
The RUDSEC project covers nine districts in Northern Uganda: Lamwo, Pader, Agago, Lira, Dokolo, Oyam, Soroti, Serere and Kaberamaido.
The total scope includes upgrading 1,327 km of community access roads and district roads — initially focusing on the 800 km design & supervision phase. Funded by EUR 32.1 million (approx. UGX 130.2 billion) from German BMZ via KfW.
The goal: improve rural transport infrastructure, unlock agricultural productivity, ease market access for smallholder farmers, and reduce transport-cost burdens.
Why this matters
Rural roads are vital for moving produce, accessing markets, health centres and schools — improving them can significantly boost agricultural incomes and reduce poverty.
Northern Uganda has lagged in infrastructure due to decades of conflict and displacement; this project signals renewed focus on inclusive regional development.
The involvement of international funding and local consultation firms demonstrates a partnership model for infrastructure beyond major cities.
Successful roll-out could serve as blueprint for community access road programmes across Uganda.
Implementation effectiveness (timeliness, quality, maintenance) will be key — poor rural roads often revert quickly if not properly maintained.
What to watch
Movement from design/supervision phase to physical construction and timeline for road completion.
Budget usage, local contractor engagement, and maintenance plan for the roads post-construction.
Impact on agricultural metrics (farm-gate prices, days to market, transport cost reductions).
Complementary services (drainage, signage, safety) to ensure roads are sustainable.
Government commitment to replicate similar models in other underserved regions.
