The East African Community (EAC) has confirmed that construction of the Kenya-Uganda Expressway will soon begin, following successful deliberations between the two nations.
In a statement on Tuesday, the EAC revealed that this new development was prompted by the confirmation of the Kisumu–Busia/Kakira–Malaba Multinational Expressway as a feasible investment project.
"Kenya-Uganda Expressway good to go! Movement between Kenya and Uganda via the Northern Corridor is set for transformation with confirmation of the Kisumu–Busia / Kakira–Malaba Multinational Expressway as a feasible and investment-ready project," EAC wrote.
To achieve this ambitious project, the Ugandan side is expected to build a new 60km expressway from Jinja to Busesa under a Public Private Partnership (PPP).
Uganda is also expected to dual the Busesa–Malaba and Busitema–Busia roads as part of the project.
The Kenyan side, on the other hand, will upgrade the Kisumu bypass and the Kimaeti–Lwakhakha road to bitumen standards, as well as rehabilitate the Busia and Malaba One-Stop Border Posts (OSBPs) to ease movement and clearance.
This development comes weeks after sources revealed that the two nations were to meet at the end of the month to discuss the funding of a multinational 193-kilometre expressway.
The stakeholders were expected to review the feasibility study report of the project, including the possibilities of imposing tariffs and the environmental and social impacts of the project.
According to the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Infrastructure, Andrea Ariik Malueth, the expressway is set to connect the two nations and their people in more ways than one.
"This project is not just about building a road; it is about creating a modern, safe and efficient transport artery that connects businesses, people, and opportunities across East Africa," Malueth said.
"The Market Sounding Conference is a turning point in our efforts to establish a strategy for sustainable infrastructure development via private sector funding."
The project is part of the Northern Transport Corridor that is designed to enhance regional trade and improve transport efficiency.
