The Bunagana–Rutshuru–Goma Road in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), connects the towns of Bunagana in Uganda with the similarly named Bunagana in DRC. The road also connects these two towns to Bugani, Rutshuru, Rumangabo, Buhumba and Goma, all in DRC.[1][2]
| Bunagana–Rutshuru–Goma Road | |
|---|---|
| Route information | |
| Length | 55 mi (89 km) |
| Major junctions | |
| East end | Bunagana |
| Bugani Rutshuru Rumangabo Buhumba | |
| West end | Goma |
| Location | |
| Highway system | |
Location
editThe eastern end of this road is in Bunagana, Uganda, at the international border with DRCongo. The road travels in a general north-westerly direction, through the towns of Bunagana, DRCongo, Bugani to Rutshuru. At Rutshuru, the road joins National Road 2, and turns southwestwards and passes through Rumangabo and Buhumba, to end at Goma, a total distance of approximately 90 kilometres (56 mi).[1][3]
Overview
editThis road is an important transport corridor between Uganda and the Democratic Republics of the Congo. It is expected to boost Uganda's trade with DRC, in agricultural and manufactured products, including refined petroleum products, as Uganda enters the oil-production phase.[4]
Upgrades and reconstruction
editBefore 2019, the road was gravel surfaced, in various stages of disrepair. In November 2019, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo signed agreements in Entebbe, Uganda, to upgrade this road to bituminous surface, within twenty-four months, after the relevant ministers have agreed on implementation details.[1][2]
In October 2020, the Cabinet of Uganda resolved to participate in the upgrading and paving up to 223 kilometres (139 mi) of roads in the DRC to the tune of 20 percent of the cost. The government of the DRC would be responsible for the remaining 80 percent of the cost. The two roads involved are: 1. the 134 kilometres (83 mi) Kasindi–Beni–Butembo Road and 2. the 90 kilometres (56 mi) Bunagana–Rutshuru–Goma Road.[5]
Uganda's Minister of Works and Transport revealed that Uganda would contribute US$65.9 million (USh246 billion) as its investment towards the improvements to the two roads, measuring 223 kilometres (139 mi). The total cost of renovation and improvement is budgeted at US$334.3 million (UShs1.2 trillion). It is expected that after the road improvement, Uganda's exports to DR Congo will double, from the current $532 million (USh1.9 trillion) annually to $1.064 billion (USh3.8 trillion).[6][7]
On 27 May 2021, the Deputy Prime Minister of DR Congo, Christophe Lutundula Apala, visited Uganda "to sign a key inter-governmental agreement on infrastructure", involving this and other roads.[8]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Paul Ampurire (10 November 2019). "Museveni, Tshisekedi Hold Talks; Uganda And DRC To Jointly Develop Road Infrastructure". Kampala: SoftPower Uganda. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
- ^ a b Halima Athumani (10 November 2019). "Uganda and DRC to Improve Infrastructure to Ease Business". Washington, DC: VOA News. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
- ^ "Road Distance Between Bunagana And Goma" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
- ^ Rodney Muhumuza (29 September 2020). "Uganda to help build roads inside Congo, citing trade goals" (Quoting the Associated Press). The Washington Post. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
- ^ Kenneth Kazibwe (30 September 2020). "Uganda to build 223km road network inside DRC". Kampala: Nile Post Uganda. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
- ^ Arthur Arnold Wadero (7 October 2020). "Govt explains Shs240b for DR Congo road projects". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
- ^ Jonathan Kamoga and Patrick Ilunga (22 October 2020). "Uganda, DR Congo decide to make roads, not war". The EastAfrican. Nairobi. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
- ^ The Independent (27 May 2021). "Uganda, DRC to sign major roads construction deal today". The Independent (Uganda). Kampala. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
External links
edit- Uganda and DR Congo to build cross-border roads As of 11 November 2019.