Uganda’s road network has been exposed to a weak asset management and poor maintenance culture, according to the CoST Uganda’s 6th Independent Review Report (launched July 17th, 2025). The report revealed that despite the existence of policies such as the Government of Uganda Asset Accounting Policies and Guidelines (AAPG) and the Public Financial Management Act (2015), implementation at local levels remains inadequate.
Reviews of projects under the LEGS and PRELNOR programmes at Ministry of Local Government exposed outdated asset registers, limited funding for routine maintenance, and a lack of structured protocols for asset transfers withing the 5 districts assessed. There was no evidence of operations and maintenance manuals or dedicated budgets, leaving road infrastructure at risk of premature deterioration and costly reconstruction.
The findings were presented to the Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Kutumba Edward Wamala who pledged further dialogue to address the maintenance gaps identified. See his speech on 30th July 2025 at Parliament on the halted 27 road projects and his call for road maintenance plans.
CoST Uganda’s Call to Action
To safeguard public investment and ensure long-term sustainability of Uganda’s roads, we continue to add a voice for government to;
1. Allocate maintenance plans in road project budgeting: To align with international best practice and reduce routine reconstruction costs caused by neglect and poor planning.
2. Strengthen Asset Management Units: to oversee road inventories, maintenance scheduling, & condition monitoring to ensure accountability in asset lifecycle.
3. Adopt Life Cycle Costing and Operation &Maintenance Plans: into feasibility studies to help shift focus from short-term delivery to long-term value for money.
By embedding these measures, Uganda can build not just new roads, but durable, safe, and sustainable infrastructure (Assets) that reduces wasteful spending and delivers greater returns for citizens. The government of Uganda must act to protect our investments which shall also help reducing our heavy spending through loan fundings
The urgency of this call is also underscored by recent cases such as the Jinja Bridge, local government association petition among others where poor maintenance has already compromised the transparency, and road functionality- Read
1. Daily monitor- Jinja bridge poor road maintenance issues exposed: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/jinja-bridge-overrun-by-grass amid-maintenance-gaps 5181344?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter_DailyMonitor
2. Local governments association petition parliament over service delivery (September 3rd 2025 at Parliament): https://www.parliament.go.ug/news/4184/local governments-petition-parliament-over-service-delivery
3. Ministry of works speak on maintenance and halted projects at parliament on 30/7/2025 https://www.parliament.go.ug/news/4161/road-projects-suspended amidst-funding-crisis
4. Citizens urge Ministry of Works and Transport to quickly expedite Mubende – Mityana road repairs after several potholes were witnessed -describes road as a night mare all through Kampala – Kabarole district highway https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/oped/letters/pothole-filled-roads-sabotage tourism-sector-5179872?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter_DailyMonitor
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