In a bid to enhance regional connectivity and trade facilitation, the feasibility studies for a transnational expressway linking Uganda and Kenya are set to begin.
The project, spanning 256 kilometers, will traverse from Kakira in Jinja District, Uganda, through Busitema to Malaba and Busia, continuing to Kisian and Kisumu in Kenya.
The endeavor, funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB), marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing efforts to bolster infrastructure within the East African Community (EAC). GOPA Infra Gmbh of Germany, in collaboration with ITEC Limited of Kenya, has been tasked with conducting the comprehensive studies.
The project entails the rehabilitation and upgrading of the existing two-lane single carriageway to bitumen standards, transforming it into a two-lane dual carriageway over a stretch of 104 kilometers. With an estimated cost of $1.499 million (approximately 5.72 billion shillings), the feasibility studies aim to determine the economic viability of the proposed upgrades, which ultimately aim to facilitate faster access to world markets for landlocked East African nations.
Speaking at the site handover ceremony to the contractors, EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Infrastructure, Productive, Social, and Political Sectors, Aguer Ariik Malueth, highlighted the anticipated benefits of the project. The upgraded expressway is expected to enhance transport services for five land-linked EAC Partner States, including Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Moreover, the project aligns with broader regional integration initiatives, such as the Mombasa-Kigali expressway, identified as a priority during the EAC Heads of States Retreat on Infrastructure Development. The rehabilitation efforts along the EAC Northern Corridor are poised to strengthen road infrastructure, fast-track regional integration, and spur cross-border trade.
The feasibility study, projected to last 18 months, will encompass various aspects, including the enhancement of border posts such as Busia and Malaba, and the transformation of the Lwakhakha Border post into a One Stop Border Post (OSBP) between Kenya and Uganda. Additionally, proposals for digitalization of weighbridges, establishment of roadside rest areas, and implementation of intelligent transport systems are expected from the consulting team.
Eng. Godfrey Enzama, the Principal Civil Engineer at the EAC Secretariat, emphasized that besides improving transport flow, the project aims to address road safety concerns. Fatal road crashes, a prevalent issue in the region, underscore the urgent need for comprehensive infrastructure upgrades aimed at ensuring safer road networks.
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