By Hellenah Niwasiima
The Government of Uganda established the Uganda Road Fund (URF) in 2008 by an Act of Parliament 2008 to help finance the maintenance of the road network. The Fund started its operations in 2010.
The URF’s primary role is sustainable financing of road maintenance, enhancing the quality and accessibility of road infrastructure. URF does this by adopting a systematic approach to funding, planning and implementation of road maintenance projects.
URF finances implementation of annual road maintenance programmes (ARMP) that are carried out by the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and the other designated agencies responsible for district, urban and community access roads.
In line with that mandate, URF has played a pivotal role in Uganda’s economic growth by improving road conditions and in so doing, facilitate smoother and efficient transportation of goods and services across the country.
Therefore, URF has helped businesses and farmers in rural areas to transport their produce to urban markets more easily, boosting agricultural incomes and reducing post-harvest losses hence reducing transportation costs, enabling them to expand their operations and contributing to the growth of the national economy.
Beyond economic benefits, the URF’s efforts have also impacted social development in the country and enhanced access to education and healthcare services, particularly in remote and underserved areas. Children can now travel to schools safely and more efficiently, while patients can reach healthcare facilities without the delays and difficulties previously caused by poor road conditions. This has contributed to higher school attendance rates and better health outcomes across the country.
However, despite its successes, URF has faced numerous challenges, including limited financial resources, environmental concerns and the need for continuous innovation.
To address these challenges, URF has embraced modern technologies and practices. For instance, the Fund has implemented advanced road maintenance management systems, enabling more effective planning and execution of projects. URF is also promoting the use of sustainable materials and practices so as to minimize the environmental impact of road construction and maintenance.
URF wish and hope is to secure additional funding and expertise to further enhance the country’s road infrastructure by fostering partnerships with international donors, private sector stakeholders and local communities for continuous capacity building and knowledge sharing to ensure that Uganda’s roads can support the nation’s ambitious development goals.
