The Mbarara–Kisangani Road is a road in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, connecting the cities of Mbarara and Mpondwe in Uganda to Kasindi, Beni, Komanda and Kisangani in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Location Within Uganda The road starts at Mbarara, Uganda and makes its way westwards for to Ishaka, in Bushenyi District. The road then turns north and runs for to the town of Kikorongo, in Kasese District. The road then turns westwards and runs to Mpondwe, at the international border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, distance of approximately . The total distance within Uganda is approximately .
Within the Democratic Republic of the Congo From Mpondwe, the road will cross into the DRCongo to the city of Kasindi and then on to Beni, a distance of about to the northwest. This also overlaps most of the Kasindi–Beni–Butembo Road. From Beni, the road turns north to Komanda, a distance of approximately . From Komanda, the road turns southwestward for approximately , to end at Kisangani. The total distance in DRCongo is approximately . The section that needs upgrading is quoted to measure approximately .
Overview The Mbarara–Kisangani Road is part of the Northern Corridor. This road is expected to improve cross-border trade, tourism, socio-economic development and promote regional integration. The project is being handled directly by the Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority (NCTTCA). The road is also a component of the Lagos–Mombasa Highway
Upgrade to double carriageway As of February 2019, the Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority, is working directly with the governments of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo do devise ways to improve this road. The work would involve paving the of dirt roads in DRC and repairing and improving the of bituminous roads in Uganda. It is estimated that the cost of the pre-requisite feasibility study, will cost about US$11.2 million.
In November 2019, Yoweri Museveni the president of Uganda and Félix Tshisekedi, the president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, at a meeting at Uganda State House in Entebbe, signed agreements to work on key road networks connecting the two countries to ease business. Components of this road are included in the list of roads under consideration for upgrade, within 24 months from November 2019.
See also List of roads in Uganda List of roads in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
References
External links Uganda committed to bilateral collaboration with DRC to develop the Mbarara-Kisangani Road Network As of 20 November 2018.