Types of Roads in Uganda: A 2025 Comprehensive Guide

Types of Roads in Uganda: At Car Hire Uganda Ltd, we pride ourselves on offering reliable, well-maintained vehicles to help you explore the Pearl of Africa’s diverse landscapes.

Whether you’re planning a Uganda safari in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, navigating a business trip through Kampala’s bustling streets, or enjoying a scenic drive to the shores of Lake Victoria, understanding Uganda’s road network is essential for a safe and memorable journey.

Uganda’s roads form the backbone of the economy, carrying over 95% of passenger and freight traffic. With 159,366 km of roadways, they connect vibrant communities, wildlife-rich national parks, and key border crossings.

For the best experience, you can rent a car in Uganda, choosing from popular options like the Toyota RAV4 for comfort and affordability, or rugged Toyota Land Cruisers for off-road adventures in remote safari destinations.

Overview of Uganda’s Road Network

Uganda’s road system has evolved significantly since the 1980s, when much of the infrastructure was dilapidated due to conflict. Today, under the Ministry of Works and Transport, the network spans approximately 159,366 km, classified into four main categories: national roads, district roads, urban roads, and community access roads (often abbreviated as DUCAR).

This classification, established through reforms like the Road Sector Development Programme (RSDP), ensures that roads serve varying purposes—from international trade routes to local farm-to-market paths. 

National roads, managed by the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) until its recent rationalization into the ministry, form the core, linking borders, airports, and ports. They total about 20,854 km (13% of the network) and are prioritized for economic connectivity.

The entire network supports Uganda’s Vision 2040, aiming for a paved road density of 100 km per 1,000 sq km by 2040. Currently, only about 3-4% (around 6,287 km) is paved, with the rest gravel or earth surfaces. 

Paved roads are primarily bituminous (asphalt), while unpaved ones use murram (laterite gravel) for better durability. Key corridors like the Northern Corridor (Mombasa to Kampala, 2,072 km in Uganda) facilitate 79% paved, good-condition routes for exports to South Sudan and DRC. 

At Car Hire Uganda Ltd, we recommend assessing your itinerary: urban explorers might opt for sedans on paved routes, while safari enthusiasts need rugged 4x4s for remote areas.

Types of Roads in Uganda

1. National Roads

These are the arterial highways, totaling 20,854 km, designed for high-volume traffic and economic integration. Managed centrally until recently by UNRA, they connect major cities, borders, and economic hubs like oil fields in the Albertine Graben.

Examples include the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway (a toll road opened in 2022, reducing travel time to the airport from 2 hours to 20 minutes) and the Kampala-Jinja Highway (A109 equivalent, vital for trade with Kenya).  About 26.6% (5,591 km) are paved, with 96.6% in fair-to-good condition as of recent reports.

National roads are subclassified by function: Class I (international trunk roads like the Northern Corridor), Class II (linking districts), and Class III (feeder roads to economic zones).

They feature dual carriageways in urban stretches, with ongoing projects like the Busega-Mpigi Expressway (24 km, under construction) aiming to ease congestion.  For self-drivers, these are the smoothest for long hauls, but watch for heavy trucks on routes like Tororo-Lira-Gulu.

2. District Roads

Comprising 38,603 km (24% of the network), these connect district headquarters to national roads and rural markets. Managed by district councils, they are mostly gravel (murram) surfaced for cost-effectiveness, with only a fraction paved.

Key examples include the Kyenjojo-Fort Portal Road (50 km, recently rehabilitated to bituminous standard) and the Mubende-Kakumiro-Kagadi Road (107 km, ongoing upgrade). 

They carry agricultural produce, vital for 70% of Uganda’s rural economy, but 81.7% of unpaved sections are in fair-to-good condition, per 2020/21 data.

District roads often traverse hilly terrains in the west (e.g., Rwenzori region) or flood-prone areas in the north. In 2020/21, 387 km were graveled under DUCAR initiatives, improving access to services like health centers. 

For car hire clients, these are ideal for mid-range trips but require vehicles with good ground clearance to handle erosion during rains.

3. Urban Roads

Urban roads span 19,959 km (13%), focusing on cities like Kampala, Jinja, and Gulu. They include 5,878 km of paved surfaces in municipalities, managed by city or town councils. 

In Kampala, the network features ring roads like the Northern Bypass (18 km, completed) to divert traffic, and ongoing upgrades like 8 km of bituminous roads in 2020/21. 

These roads handle dense traffic, with potholes and congestion common in the capital, where daily losses from delays reach $1.5 million.

Urban stretches often have sidewalks, traffic lights, and speed bumps, but informal trading encroaches on lanes. Projects like the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway exemplify modern upgrades, incorporating climate-resilient designs.  As a car hire provider, we advise compact SUVs for city navigation, avoiding peak hours (7-9 AM, 4-7 PM).

4. Community Access Roads

The largest category at 79,947 km (50%), these unpaved earth or murram paths link villages to district roads, often under sub-county management.

They form the rural lifeline, enabling access to schools, markets, and clinics, but many remain impassable in wet seasons. 

In Kabarole District, for instance, poor maintenance hampers economic growth, with heavy rains causing erosion.  Recent efforts graveled 387 km in 2020/21, but 35,000 km in sub-Saharan Africa, including Uganda, are in poor condition.

These roads are crucial for agriculture, where 80% are earth surfaces, isolating farmers during rains and increasing post-harvest losses.  For adventurers, 4×4 hires are non-negotiable here, as they handle mud and ruts better than standard vehicles.

Surface Types and Their Implications

Roads in Uganda vary by surface: paved (bituminous, 6,000 km), gravel/murram (20-30%), and earth (~50-60%). Paved surfaces dominate national and urban roads, offering smooth rides at speeds up to 80 km/h, but they degrade faster in tropics, lasting 15 years on average. 

Murram provides all-weather access but turns slippery in rains, while earth roads erode quickly, isolating communities. 

Ongoing projects like the Buhimba-Nalweyo-Bulamagi Road (93 km, design-build) aim to upgrade gravel to bitumen, enhancing durability.  At Car Hire Uganda Ltd, we equip vehicles with all-terrain tires for mixed surfaces.

Current Condition and Maintenance Challenges

As of 2025, Uganda’s roads show progress: 96.6% of paved national roads and 81.7% of unpaved are fair-to-good, exceeding NDP III targets.  However, challenges persist.

Funding shortfalls—only Shs682 billion of Shs3.153 trillion allocated for 2025/26—have suspended 27 projects, including the Masindi-Biiso oil road (106 km).  UNRA‘s Shs1.3 trillion debt to contractors delays maintenance, leading to 1,993 km needing urgent periodic work.

Extreme weather exacerbates issues: heavy rains cause flooding and erosion, with climate change intensifying patterns.  Poor designs, substandard materials, and corruption contribute to quick deterioration—paved roads cost $300,000-$1 million/km to build but require frequent repairs. 

Rural roads, vital for 70% of the population, are worst hit: 80% earth, impassable in rains, pushing communities adrift economically.  The Uganda Road Fund (URF) operates as a “Second Generation Fund” for maintenance, but backlogs cost Shs180 billion annually in preventable losses. 

Initiatives like the World Bank’s $288 million for 70 km in Kampala and refugee-hosting districts (e.g., Koboko-Yumbe-Moyo) focus on resilience.

Mechanized maintenance costs average Shs30-35 million/km/year, with fuel and labor as key drivers.  Local contractors face skill shortages, leading to inefficiencies. 

For 2025, the ministry shifts to maintenance over new builds, targeting 750 km upgrades.  This bodes well, but travelers should check real-time conditions via apps or our team.

Safety and Driving Tips for Car Hire Users

Driving in Uganda is left-hand, with speed limits of 50 km/h in towns, 80 km/h on highways, and 40 km/h in parks—enforced by cameras and police. 

Accidents claim 12,034 lives yearly (29.9 per 100,000), driven by speeding (80% of crashes), reckless overtaking, and poor conditions.  In 2024, 25,107 crashes occurred, up 6.4%, due to impaired driving and corruption.

Key tips:

• Vehicle Prep: Choose 4x4s for versatility; ensure full insurance (we provide comprehensive coverage, including COMESA for borders). Carry a safety kit: spare tire, jack, flares, jumper cables.  Check maintenance reports—our fleet undergoes regular servicing.
• Defensive Driving: Anticipate potholes, speed bumps, animals, and boda-bodas (motorcycles). Maintain 2-3 second gaps; avoid night driving due to poor lighting and risks.  Drive drowsy-free; wear seatbelts (mandatory, fines apply).
• Police and Etiquette: Carry your license (international for foreigners) and vehicle documents. Police checkpoints are common—remain polite; fines for violations must be paid at banks, not on the spot.  No alcohol (0.08% limit); bribes undermine safety.
• Weather and Routes: Rains (March-May, Sept-Nov) worsen unpaved roads—use 4×4 low-range. Plan realistically: 50 km/h average on mains; use our GPS-enabled cars for navigation.
• Emergencies: Dial 999 for police/ambulance; our 24/7 roadside assistance covers breakdowns. Lock doors, park securely; avoid rural night travel.

For self-drive, we offer add-ons like driver-guides ($50/day) for stress-free trips—ideal for first-timers.  Tourism relies on roads: they enable $1.6 billion GDP contribution, but poor access to parks like Queen Elizabeth can double travel times.

Car Hire Uganda Ltd: Your Partner on the Road

At Car Hire Uganda Ltd, we’ve helped thousands explore safely since our founding. Our vehicles— from economy sedans  to premium 4x4s include unlimited mileage, insurance, and recovery.

Deposits start at $100; no cross-border without approval. Book via email or WhatsApp; we handle permits for parks.

Uganda’s roads blend challenge and beauty, fostering growth amid hurdles. With proper prep, they’re gateways to gorillas, lakes, and culture. Contact us to hit the road confidently—your Ugandan adventure awaits!