UGANDA, Kampala | Real Muloodi News | In the lead-up to Christmas, severe traffic congestion on the Kampala-Jinja highway disrupted travel and commerce, highlighting challenges faced by one of Uganda’s most critical transport corridors. The highway, spanning 80 kilometers, connects Kampala to Jinja and serves as a key route for the country’s imports and exports via Kenya’s Mombasa port.
Travelers reported gridlocks, particularly between Kampala and Mukono, a stretch of 22 kilometers that took some motorists over four hours to traverse. The situation was worse between Najjembe and Kitigoma, where the journey of less than 20 kilometers lasted over six hours for some drivers. Ongoing emergency maintenance work in Mabira Forest compounded the delays, with vehicles moving at a near standstill.
The exact financial losses incurred during these disruptions remain unquantified. However, the impact extended beyond wasted time, affecting businesses dependent on the highway for the transportation of goods and services.
The Kampala-Jinja highway has faced increasing pressure due to exponential traffic growth. Once a smooth 45-minute journey in the 1970s and 1980s, the trip now averages four hours on typical days, even without extraordinary delays.
Emergency repairs on deteriorated sections of the road, such as those near Najjembe, were initiated after reports of severe damage surfaced in the media and videos of crumbling infrastructure circulated on social platforms.
Government officials and stakeholders have long recognized the need for expanding the Kampala-Jinja highway. Proposals include adding lanes to accommodate growing traffic and creating bypasses to ease congestion. According to an official from the Ministry of Works and Transport, efforts are underway to identify long-term solutions, though these remain at various stages of planning and execution.
In addition to expansion, alternative routes have been suggested as a means to alleviate pressure on the highway. Proposals include diverting heavy trucks to the Jinja-Nyenga-Katosi-Mukono-Kinawataka-Namanve route, while passenger vehicles and lighter cargo trucks could use the Kampala-Gayaza-Kayunga-Jinja road.
The Ministry of Works and Transport has acknowledged the challenges but has not announced definitive timelines for comprehensive upgrades.
“We are committed to improving the road network, but it requires significant funding and coordination,” said a ministry spokesperson.
The Kampala-Jinja highway remains a vital economic artery for Uganda and the region. Delays and infrastructure issues on this road have ripple effects on trade, tourism, and daily commuting. As discussions on road expansion and alternative routes continue, addressing immediate maintenance and long-term solutions is essential to sustaining economic growth and improving the efficiency of this transport corridor.
Efforts to expand and decongest the Kampala-Jinja highway are critical as traffic demand continues to grow.
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