Uganda's Roads: Building a Future with Local Expertise, Not Foreign Debt

The scenic beauty of Uganda’s Kigezi region, often likened to the “Switzerland of Africa,” is marred by the sorry state of its crucial tourism infrastructure. Roads from Kabaare to Bunyonyi and Kisoro to Mgahinga, intended to boost the economy, lie unfinished, a testament to a failed contract with an Egyptian firm. This project’s collapse serves as a stark warning about the pitfalls of prioritizing foreign lenders’ rules over practical local knowledge and common sense.

The chosen Egyptian contractor, despite its impressive scale in desert construction, lacked experience with the mountainous terrain and clay soils of Kigezi. Even after local technical experts at the Uganda National Roads Authority (Unra) raised concerns, their advice was sidelined, largely due to the influence of an 85% funding loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB). AfDB’s strict rules, favoring large companies with low bids, overlooked the critical need for specific geographical expertise.

After a year of struggle and minimal progress, the contractor abandoned the project, leaving the government to navigate the arduous process of contract cancellation. This debacle necessitates a re-evaluation of how Uganda procures and manages major infrastructure projects, especially those funded by foreign loans.

Moving forward, Uganda must implement stricter “geographic pre-qualification” rules in loan agreements, ensuring contractors demonstrate experience in similar terrains and conditions. “Ring-fencing” project funds is crucial to protect against financial troubles of partner companies. Furthermore, mandatory subcontracting of 30-40% of work to local Ugandan engineering firms should be enforced, fostering local capacity development.

The common argument of “lack of capacity” among local firms is a self-perpetuating cycle. By continually awarding contracts to foreign entities, Uganda denies its own brilliant engineers the experience and capital needed to grow. The success of the Uganda People’s Defence Force Engineering Brigade in rapidly repairing Kampala’s potholes proves that local talent can deliver when trusted and empowered.

Uganda’s reliance on foreign loans and contractors reflects a deeper issue of dependence and a lack of faith in its own institutions. The stalled Bunyonyi road project should be a catalyst for change, urging the government to prioritize local expertise, invest in domestic firms, and utilize its own national road fund where possible. Uganda possesses the talent and resources to build its own future; it’s time to stop outsourcing its development and paving its path with local hands.