Masaka–Mutukula Road Explained

Country:UGA
Masaka–Mutukula Road
Length Mi:56
Direction A:North
Terminus A:Masaka
Junction:Kalisizo
Kyotera
Kakuuto
Direction B:South
Terminus B:Mutukula

Masaka–Mutukula Road is a road in the Central Region of Uganda, connecting the city of Masaka, in Masaka District, to the border town of Mutukula in Kyotera District.[1]

Location

The road stars in Masaka, near the Uganda Police barracks, where this road forms a T-junction with Broadway Road. The road continues in a southwesterly direction, through Kalisizo, Kyotera and ends in Mutukula, at the international border with Tanzania, a total length of about 90km (60miles).

Overview

This road is part of the East African Community Road Network Project. It is the main road transport corridor between Uganda and Tanzania. The road is divided into two sections: (a) Masaka–Kyotera section, which measures 44km (27miles), was built in 1960s and has begun to deteriorate and (b) Kyotera–Mutukula section, measuring 46km (29miles), was originally constructed in the 1960s and was upgraded to class II bitumen standards in 2003 with a loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB).[2] Section (b) was in good condition, as of 2006, while section (a) was in need of an upgrade.[3]

Upgrade and expansion

In January 2020, the government of Uganda began preparations to upgrade and expand the road, using funds sourced from the African Development Bank (AfDB). The single-carriageway road will be upgraded to class II bitumen surface, with culverts and drainage channels. The road width will be increased to 11m (36feet). In the town of Kyotera, the width will be further increased to accommodate a 3m (10feet) parking lane.[4]

The engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract was awarded to Chongqing International Construction Corporation (CICCO). Included in this contract is the upgrade to bitumen class II of the Masaka-Villa Maria Road measuring 11km (07miles) and the tarmacking of another 7km (04miles) of roads within Masaka City. The contract price is reported as UGX:691 billion (approx. US$179 million).[1]

CICCO entered into a 2-year pre-financing agreement with the government of Uganda (GoU). For the first two years the company will use its own money. The road also received funding from the AfDB, in form of a loan to the GoU. Completion of the upgrade is anticipated in 2028.[1]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Government commissions Masaka-Kyotera-Mutukula road works . 21 March 2024 . . Uganda Radio Network . 23 March 2024 . Kampala, Uganda.
  2. Web site: . Kyotera-Mutukula Road Will Boost Trade . 13 May 2016 . 7 July 2003 . Eddie Ssejjoba . Kampala.
  3. Web site: 13 May 2016 . June 2006 . EAC . Arusha . East African Community: The East African Road Network Project: Project Status Briefs . East African Community (EAC) . bot: unknown . https://web.archive.org/web/20160324092405/http://www.eac.int/infrastructure/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=11&Itemid=70 . 24 March 2016 .
  4. Web site: Govt unveils plan to expand Masaka-Mutukula highway . 28 January 2020 . . 28 January 2020 . Ambrose Musasizi . Kampala, Uganda.