Kayunga, Uganda | July 11, 2025 — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, accompanied by First Lady Janet Museveni, today officially flagged off construction works for the Kayunga–Bbaale–Galiraya Road Project, an 87-kilometre corridor that is expected to transform connectivity between Central and Northern Uganda.

Currently a gravel road, the Kayunga–Bbaale–Galiraya route is the only direct link between Kayunga town and Galiraya on the shores of Lake Kyoga. The upgrade to bituminous standard is a long-anticipated infrastructure project aimed at enhancing regional trade, reducing travel time, and improving agricultural and fisheries value chains across the country.

“This is very strategic. It’s very good economically and in terms of shortening travel time. So I’m very happy that finally, we are going to build this road,” President Museveni remarked, highlighting the project's significance.

The upgraded road will serve as a strategic gateway connecting Central Uganda to the Northern and Northeastern regions via ferry across Lake Kyoga, drastically cutting travel time and easing the movement of goods and services.

Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Katumba Wamala explained that the new road will reduce the journey from Lango to Kampala by up to six hours. Once a ferry crossing at Kawongo is in place, the trip could take less than four hours, significantly boosting trade efficiency.

Gen. Katumba noted that in addition to the main corridor, the construction will include a ferry and two kilometers of tarmacked access roads in key trading centers.

The civil works will be executed by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) for UGX 213.9 billion, with CRBC pre-financing the entire construction over 24 months. The Government of Uganda will begin payments only after completion, a financing innovation praised by both Ugandan and Chinese officials.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni praised the Chinese company undertaking the road project, describing them as strategic partners who understand the potential of Uganda’s growing market.

He noted that companies offering practical solutions and building trust with government leadership stand to gain significantly.

Museveni explained that while payments may be deferred for now, Uganda’s soon-to-be-realized oil revenues will provide the government with the capacity to pay contractors in cash, eliminating the need for pre-financing.

Chinese Ambassador Zhang Lizhong echoed this optimism, quoting a Chinese proverb: “To be rich, build roads first.” He emphasized that infrastructure remains at the core of Uganda-China relations and revealed that Uganda’s exports to China had surged by 93% in the first quarter of 2025, thanks to the successful implementation of new trade protocols on dried chili and wild fish products.

The President also commended residents for their support and understanding, especially those who offered their land without compensation, an act he described as exemplary.

“You have said, ‘Bring us the road. We are not going to charge you for this piece of land.’ This is very clever. I don’t know why other people cannot learn that magezi,” Museveni noted.

This gesture by the local community is expected to expedite construction and save the government over UGX 76 billion in potential compensation costs - one of the major reasons why similar projects often face delays.

The road construction initiative fulfills a longstanding commitment by H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President, and is in line with the Government’s broader infrastructure development agenda.