Japan investing in Ugandan roads

Japanese investment is helping develop Ugandan infrastructure. Construction of the New Nile Bridge is being part-financed by the Japanese Government. Some US$90 million for the dual-lane bridge is being provided through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The bridge forms part of the important Northern Transport Corridor of East Africa, which runs from the Port of Mombasa in Kenya through Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi to the Democratic Republic of Congo. This route is vital for Uganda’s economy, as
January 31, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
Japanese funding will help pay for the New Nile Bridge project in Uganda – artist’s impression courtesy of Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA)
Japanese investment is helping develop Ugandan infrastructure. Construction of the New Nile Bridge is being part-financed by the Japanese Government. Some US$90 million for the dual-lane bridge is being provided through the 3349 Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The bridge forms part of the important Northern Transport Corridor of East Africa, which runs from the Port of Mombasa in Kenya through Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi to the Democratic Republic of Congo. This route is vital for Uganda’s economy, as well as for Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Due for completion in 2018, the cable-stayed bridge will be the first of its kind in East Africa. It will measure 525m long by 80m high. The bridge will complement the ageing Nalubaale Bridge, built in 1954. Following a 2005 2332 World Bank report recommending that a cable stay bridge should be constructed on the alignment running between the existing highway at the Nalubaale Dam and the railway bridge, and consequent feasibility studies conducted by JICA, Japan pledged to finance the project.

In addition to the bridge project, JICA is currently funding other key infrastructure projects in Uganda, to support the 1073 Ugandan Government’s priority of infrastructure development, as part of its development strategy: Uganda Vision 2040. JICA is currently working on a project to upgrade the road connecting Atiak in northern Uganda and Nimule at the border with South Sudan, as well as a feasibility study to ease traffic congestion in the centre of Kampala City, through the construction of two flyovers at Kitgum Junction and the Clock Tower Junction.
Road Structures Finance & Funding

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Challenges and investment opportunities in East Africa transport infrastructure Sector
    November 21, 2014
    East Africa offers considerable potential for transport infrastructure expansion and investment - Shem Oirere reports Infrastructure, infrastructure and more infrastructure is what is needed to make East Africa the favoured destination and Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda have unveiled grand plans to enhance the infrastructure both nationally and regionally.” This is how market analyst Deloitte introduced its 2014/15 budget analysis for the four countries in July.
    Read More
  • Kenya connection under construction
    July 26, 2017
    Construction work is underway on the road improvement project between Kenya’s premier port of Mombasa and the town of Mariakani. The project will see the A109 route being widened and upgraded and is costing nearly US$59 million. The work is being handled by a Chinese contractor and the route will feature three lanes in either direction, boosting both capacity and safety. The first section of this work is for an 11km section from Mombasa to Kwa Jomwu. The A109 route is one of Kenya’s most important roads as
    Read More
  • Construction materials and road design in East Africa
    June 25, 2013
    An envisaged shortage in the supply of angular rock or crushed stone in Tanzania and a determination to conserve the environment by Kenyan authorities dictated the engineering design of a multi-national road linking the two largest economies in Eastern Africa. Shem Oirere reports The cost of buying crushed stone or hiring a site for mining the material and the expenses of moving it from the crushing site to the project area, saw designers opt for an intermediate alignment and discarding of the inner and out
    Read More
  • Ethiopia races on with projects
    June 13, 2012
    Ethiopia is pursuing a 10-year $2.4 billion development plan, part of which are ambitious road developments. Shem Oirere reports Ethiopia is hastening its pace towards accessing a share of the East Africa commodity market and opening itself up for foreign investment through the implementation of an ambitious road development strategy, the Road Sector Development Programme (RSDP). The landlocked nation has convinced a number of international lenders of the viability of RSDP, with some of them now loosening
    Read More

Highlighted Content