Politics 1 April 2026 Parliament of Uganda
Parliament Halts New Guidelines on Shs1 Billion District Road Fund
Uganda's Parliament has suspended fresh guidelines from the Ministry of Works and Transport that limit district road rehabilitation costs to Shs8-20 million per kilometer, following objections from MPs who argue they hinder effective road maintenance. The decision ensures districts retain control over road priorities and budgeting. Source: https://www.parliament.go.ug/news/4382/parliament-suspends-new-guidelines-shs1-billion-district-road-fund
Uganda’s Parliament has put on hold new guidelines issued by the Ministry of Works and Transport regarding the use of the Shs1 billion district road maintenance fund.
The suspension came after concerns raised by Hon. Patrick Nsamba Oshabe (NUP, Kassanda County North), who criticized the guidelines from Permanent Secretary Waiswa Bageya. These rules cap rehabilitation costs at Shs8 million to Shs20 million per kilometer, which Nsamba described as overly restrictive and expensive, slashing the maintainable road length from 220km to just 120km annually.
Nsamba stressed that district road committees are best placed to set priorities and costs, arguing the ministry’s caps undermine the fund’s goal of making roads motorable.
Government Chief Whip Hon. Denis Hamson Obua supported the move, promising to instruct the ministry to pause implementation. He shared that in Alebtong, they achieved 220km at Shs3.5 million per kilometer.
Speaker Anita Among questioned the fixed pricing, noting it ignores varying road terrains, before the House voted to suspend the guidelines.
Source: Parliament of Uganda