Uganda’s Ministry of Works and Transport has held the bid opening session for the Kampala–Jinja Expressway (KJE) project, marking a significant step in the long-awaited infrastructure initiative.
The event, attended by key officials from the Ministry of Works & Transport and the Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) Unit, saw the submission of a bid from one consortium.
This follows the prequalification of four consortia, which were invited to submit proposals for the long-awaited critical infrastructure project aimed at improving connectivity between Uganda’s capital, Kampala, and Jinja, the country’s second-largest town.
The Works Ministry said in a statement on Friday that tith the bid now officially received, the “evaluation phase will commence immediately.”
This process will focus on assessing the bidder’s compliance with legal, technical, environmental, and financial requirements.
The government expects this evaluation to be completed within two months, after which a determination will be made on whether the bidder qualifies for the contract award.
Officials say the project will cost about Shs 5tn ($1.4bn).
Trade
The Expressway forms a crucial segment of the international highway linking Uganda to Kenya’s port of Mombasa, facilitating the movement of goods and services across the region.
The route is vital for trade to and from Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan.
The expressway, designed as a tolled freeway, will feature an eight-lane section for the first four kilometers, a six-lane section extending to Mukono, and a four-lane section from Mukono to Jinja.
The project will include over 60 bridges, major interchanges, link roads to key towns, fencing along the entire stretch, lighting, and toll plazas.
Once completed, the Kampala–Jinja Expressway is expected to alleviate severe traffic congestion along the current route, which is one of the busiest transport corridors in East Africa.
The increased capacity and improved road infrastructure will significantly reduce travel time between Kampala and Jinja, enhancing economic productivity and regional trade.
With the procurement process now advancing to the evaluation stage, stakeholders are keenly watching the progress of what is set to be one of Uganda’s most transformative road projects.
Ms. Barbara Namugambe, Under Secretary at the Ministry of Works & Transport, represented the Permanent Secretary at the bid opening, alongside Mr. Jim Mugunga, Executive Director of the Public-Private Partnerships Unit at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. Other key officials from the Ministry of Works & Transport were also in attendance.
