By Joseph Mary Buule
Members of Parliament have urged the government to accelerate the construction and rehabilitation of road infrastructure across the country, saying improved transport networks are essential for economic growth, security and regional connectivity.
The legislators made the calls during a plenary sitting on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, while debating a motion to appreciate President Yoweri Museveni’s State of the Nation Address delivered on June 4.
Bugangaizi East County MP Onesimus Twinamasiko appealed to the government to prioritize the Nalweyo–Kisiita–Mpasana–Nkoko–Masode Road in Kyankwanzi District, saying it is a strategic oil road that connects to Kakumiro District and is vital for monitoring activities along the East African Crude Oil Pipeline.
He noted that although feasibility studies and schematic designs for the road were completed in 2017, the project was later abandoned despite its importance to Uganda’s oil sector.
Agago County MP Edward Makmot called for increased funding to facilitate the construction of the Moroto Road, describing it as a key security, tourism and mineral transport route linking more than 10 districts in the Acholi and Karamoja sub-regions, including access to Kidepo National Park.
Bududa District Woman Representative Agnes Khainza urged the Ministry of Works and Transport to prioritize the Bubulo–Bududa Circular Road, saying the project has repeatedly been promised by President Museveni and is included in the NRM manifesto but has yet to be implemented.
She said the road would improve access to markets and services for communities in the mountainous district, which still lacks a tarmacked road.
Nakasongola County MP Ivan Kyeyune appealed to the government to fulfil the President’s pledge to tarmac the Nakasongola–Kalungi–Bamugolodde–Kikyusa Road, arguing that it would ease transportation of agricultural produce to markets.
Meanwhile, Female Older Persons Representative Joy Waako commended the government for expanding Uganda’s road network, saying improved roads have enabled older persons, especially in rural areas, to access health facilities more easily while allowing ambulances and essential medicines to reach remote communities faster.
Tororo Municipality MP Shyam Jay Tanna called for the expedited implementation of the Standard Gauge Railway project, noting that Kenya has already made significant progress on the Kisumu–Malaba section, which is expected to connect to Uganda.
Tanna said the railway would reduce transport costs, create employment opportunities through workshops planned in major towns, and position Uganda as a regional business hub. He also urged the government to compensate project-affected persons promptly and improve roads connecting to the railway corridor.
In his State of the Nation Address, President Museveni said the government is working with Kenya and Tanzania on regional railway and petroleum pipeline projects to reduce pressure on Uganda’s road network by shifting heavy cargo to rail and petroleum transportation to pipelines, leaving roads mainly for passenger and light cargo transport.