Activities in Uganda

Uganda's National Development Plan (NDP) puts emphasis on sustainable economic growth while aiming at poverty reduction. Road transport is the main mode of transport and occupies more than 96% of freight cargo and passenger traffic. In a country where the railway network has collapsed, improving efficiency of the road transport infrastructure is an important lifeline to the country’s regional and international competitiveness. Nevertheless, crumbling roads and limited investment in road maintenance are hindering mobility, along with traffic gridlocks especially in the Capital (Kampala), underscoring the massive infrastructure needs for transportation in the country. Availability of reliable and stable electricity supply also plays an integral role in accelerating economic growth. Uganda’s peak demand presently stands at about 800MW, which is estimated to double in the next decade. The demand in the EAC region is equally on the upward trend. To benefit from this increasing demand, there is need for strategic investment in the country's power generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure. Making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable provides an unparalleled opportunity for the attainment of collective and inclusive progress. Uganda’s urban development is largely uncoordinated and uncontrolled. Uganda being one of the most urbanizing countries in the world at 5.2% per annum urban growth rate, integrated urban planning and development is critical.

Transport

New Bridge across River Nile at Jinja

In November 2010, JICA signed a loan agreement with the Government of Uganda for up to JPY 9.198billion (aprox.US$100 million) for this project, that was later amended to JPY 14.116 billion (aprox.US$127 million) in April 2018. A new cable-stay bridge along with access roads was built across the Nile River and this is expected to not only drive up the country’s economic growth, but also foster regional integration.

Upgrading of Atiak-Nimule Road

In March 2010, JICA signed a loan agreement with the Government of Uganda for up to JPY 3.395billion (approx.US$40.9 million) for this project. Through the project, transport capacity of the Northern Uganda area was strengthened, and trade connectivity between Uganda and South Sudan also improved.

Kampala Flyover Construction and Road Upgrading Project

To mitigate traffic congestion and facilitate urban transportation in Kampala city, in September 2015, JICA and the Government of Uganda signed a loan agreement of up to JPY 19.989 billion (approx. US$180million) to undertake the construction of flyovers at Kitgum House and Clock Tower junctions, construction of an underpass at Nsambya junction, widening of Mukwano Road, traffic safety improvements at Shoprite and Clock Tower areas, and non-motorized transport facilities, including pedestrian bridges.

Traffic Control Project

In addition to on-going efforts to improve traffic flow in Kampala (like the Kampala Flyover Project), JICA continues to demonstrate unlimited efforts to peg out the challenges of traffic congestion. In February 2019, JICA extended a grant aid worth JPY 2,548 million (approx. USD 21million), to facilitate the construction of a traffic control center and 27 traffic junctions by a smart signalization system called ‘MODERATO”. This is the first project in the EAC region to adopt this kind of technology for safer, efficient, and sustainable transport service delivery.

Project for Improvement of National Road in Refugee-hosting Areas of West Nile Sub-region

JICA recognizes the need to build capacity of refugees and their host-communities. In February 2021, JICA signed a grant amounting to JPY 3,821 million (equivalent of $29million) towards this project. The project aims to develop the socio-economic infrastructure and realize smooth transport through improving the national road, feeder roads and a bridge in refugee-hosting areas of West-Nile sub-region, thereby contributing to social and economic stabilization of the region. The project will in part utilize Labour Based Technology for the improvement of feeder roads, which is intended to build skills and create employment for the refugees and their host communities.

Improvement of Gulu Municipality Roads Project

To revitalize economic activities in a conflict-affected region, in September 2016, JICA provided a grant of up to 2.136 billion Japanese yen (equivalent of about $19million) for the improvement of Gulu Municipal Council roads in northern Uganda. As Gulu is part of the northern corridor network that connects Juba in South Sudan to Mombasa in Kenya, restoration of its transportation infrastructure provided opportunities for the stimulation of economic activities, as well as improving accessibility to service delivery in the region, thereby reducing economic/service delivery disparities between the north and other parts of Uganda.

Capacity Development in for Improvement of Road Construction and Maintenance Project

In response to the urgent need for Uganda to sustainably manage road construction and maintenance through use of force account, in 2021, JICA dispatched an expert team from Japan to work with Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT), to implement the project. This technical cooperation extended assistance for capacity development for MoWT personnel (both Mechanical and civil engineers) – in policy making, budget planning, road construction and maintenance systems, that would facilitate improved road construction and maintenance in Uganda.

Electric Power

Kampala Metropolitan Transmission System Improvement Project

To strengthen the stability and reliability of electric supply in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan area, JICA, in April 2018, extended a loan amount of JPY 13, 659 million (equivalent of approx. $120million) towards the project. It involves the construction of; Buloba 220/132/33kV substation, the new Mukono 220/132/33kV substation, upgrading of Kawaala, Mutundwe and Bujagali substations, construction of associated new transmission lines and rehabilitation of existing ones, and supply of a mobile substation.

Bujagali Interconnection Project

This Loan project which started in 2008 establishes high voltage transmission facilities including required substations necessary for the evacuation of power from the recently constructed Bujagali Hydro Power Station to the national power grid. The project provides the necessary infrastructure for supply of reliable electric power that has facilitated social and economic development of the country. Major construction works were completed in March 2012.

Interconnection of Electric Grids of Nile Equatorial Lake Countries (NELSAP)

In March 2010, JICA signed a loan agreement for up to JPY 5.406billion (approx. US$55million) to finance the interconnection of power grids between Uganda-Kenya (220KV, 127km) and Uganda-Rwanda (220KV, 66km), including upgrading of sub-stations along them, which is a part of NELSAP (Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program) that promotes regional power trade among Nile Equatorial Lakes Countries.

Improvement of Queensway Substation

JICA signed a grant agreement to provide grant aid of up to JPY2,519 million (approx. US$25million) for assistance for the Project for Improvement of Queensway Substation in November 2014.

This project installed 132/33 kilovolt transformer equipment and gas-insulated switchgears to effectively use land for a smaller footprint at the Queensway substation constructed in the capital of Kampala in 1991 and 1992 with grant aid from the Government of Japan. Through this project, Kampala City’s central business district has seen improved power supply that has stimulated urban economic activities and improved residents' living standards.

Rural Electrification Projects

JICA implemented a Grant Aid project that that was structured in 3 phases. The project extended the distribution system for reliable and stable supply of electricity to the rural communities within the project sites. The project involved the supply and installation of 33KV distribution lines and distribution transformers (33kV/415-230V). The total length of distribution lines was more than 500km.

Urban Development

Project for Integrated Urban Development Masterplan for Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area

In December 2020, JICA extended support to the Government of Uganda in form of Technical Assistance towards the project. Through this project, existing Kampala Physical Development Framework and Kampala Physical Development Plan will be updated, guidelines for formulating local-level detailed physical development plans will be prepared, local-level detailed physical development plans in selected model areas will be developed and a collaboration and coordination mechanism for implementation of the masterplan will be established.