The Government of Uganda has signed a €110.5 million ($126.1 million) financing agreement with Standard Chartered Bank Uganda to fund the construction of the 115.8-kilometre Kitgum–Kidepo Road, a key infrastructure project aimed at improving connectivity in the country’s northeastern region. As announced by Uganda’s Ministry of Finance and reported by Reuters and Daily Monitor, the road will link Kitgum Town to Kidepo Valley National Park, reducing transport costs, strengthening regional trade, and opening up one of Uganda’s most remote but economically promising regions.
The agreement was signed in Kampala by Finance Minister Henry Musasizi and Standard Chartered Uganda Chief Executive Sanjay Rughani. The government said the project will improve access to the Karamoja sub-region, which borders Kenya and has attracted growing investor interest due to its significant mineral resources, including gold. The new road is also expected to support major investments already underway in the region, including a $300 million cement factory and a $72 million international airport.
The financing forms part of Uganda’s broader strategy to expand transport infrastructure and unlock regional economic growth. The Ministry of Finance noted that improved road connectivity will facilitate trade, tourism, and investment while enhancing access to markets and essential services for communities in northern Uganda. Standard Chartered said the partnership reflects its continued commitment to supporting infrastructure projects that drive sustainable economic development across the country.
For Uganda, the Kitgum–Kidepo Road is expected to strengthen regional integration, improve logistics, and enhance the competitiveness of the country’s tourism and mining sectors. Analysts say the project will not only boost economic activity in the Karamoja region but also reinforce Uganda’s long-term infrastructure development agenda as it seeks to attract greater private investment and accelerate inclusive growth.
