NATIONAL ROAD CRISIS! Bitumen Shortage Hits Uganda, Threatens Key Road Projects
A severe bitumen shortage is threatening to stall major road construction projects across Uganda, including highways and urban infrastructure. Contractors report that supply chain disruptions, exacerbated by global geopolitical conflicts, have halted asphalt surfacing work.
Why it matters
The shortage jeopardizes the government's massive infrastructure investment plan and could lead to significant delays in national development projects.
KAMPALA — Uganda’s ambitious road construction programme is facing fresh uncertainty after a shortage of bitumen is threatening to slow ongoing projects, raising concerns about the delivery of major highways, urban roads and regional transport links.
The supply squeeze comes as the Government rolls out a massive infrastructure programme backed by Shs8.79 trillion allocated to transport infrastructure for the 2026/27 financial year, covering roads, bridges, railways, airports and other transport systems.
From the Muyembe–Nakapiripirit highway in eastern Uganda to the Apac–Lira–Puranga corridor in the north, the Kira–Kasangati–Matugga road in Greater Kampala and several urban roads under construction, the country has numerous projects that depend on the availability of construction materials to progress.
The shortage has already emerged as a concern in Kampala, where contractors working on roads under the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) say they are struggling to secure bitumen needed to complete asphalt surfacing.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in