1. Awards & Honors

Uganda’s first toll highway, it is also a landmark transportation project connecting the capital, Kampala, with the country’s primary international air gateway.

The Kampala–Entebbe Expressway (KEE) is a flagship project within Uganda’s modern highway network.

Uganda’s Parliament explicitly referred to it as such in its 2026 public documents. Uganda’s first toll road / first toll road project The highway connects to the Kampala Northern Bypass via Busega, extends southward to Entebbe and Entebbe International Airport, and links to Munyonyo via the Kajjansi spur.

Related to the Uganda Engineers Association World Engineering Day / Engineers Run 2025 During the event, the engineering industry’s honor roll published in UIPE’s “The Engineers” revealed:

CCCC – Kampala-Entebbe Expressway has been awarded the Excellence Award for “Best Mega Project.”

Another landmark achievement of the project is:

The Nambigirwa Bridge has a total length of approximately 1,450 meters.

The Uganda National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)’s annual report publicly released an image that directly indicates the bridge’s length as 1,450 m ; The Wakiso District government, meanwhile, refers to the Nambigirwa Bridge as Uganda’s longest bridge . In its report on the project’s opening to traffic, Xinhua News Agency described it as One of the longest bridges in East Africa 。

2. Project Background

The Kampala–Entebbe Expressway, located in central Uganda, is a vital high-speed transportation corridor connecting the capital, Kampala, the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area, and Entebbe International Airport.

The core objective of the project is to address the longstanding traffic congestion on the Kampala–Entebbe corridor and to establish a faster, more reliable land‑based transport link between the capital and Uganda’s principal international air gateway.

Uganda’s engineering authorities have explicitly stated that the project’s key objectives include:

It connects the two major cities of Kampala and Entebbe, enhances transportation efficiency in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area, and alleviates traffic congestion in Kampala.

The project owner and implementing agency at the time were Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) ; Following the 2025 government reorganization, road management responsibilities were transferred to the Ministry of Works and Transport of Uganda.

The project is being implemented under a Design & Build contracting model.

The construction contractor is:

China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC, part of the China Communications Construction Company Limited group)

The engineering supervision unit is:

Beijing Expressway Supervision Company Ltd.

Project funding comes from:

Exim Bank of China 73.58%

and also

Government of Uganda approximately 26.4% 。

The original design‑build contract amount is:

US$476 million

The subsequent adjustment to the contract price is approximately:

US$479.17 million + approximately UGX 8.397 billion.

The project commenced on November 19, 2012 Officially breaking ground.

Main Line: Kampala–Entebbe Corridor

According to the project documentation of Uganda’s Ministry of Works and Transport, the engineering alignment in the Kampala–Entebbe direction is approximately 36.94 kilometers 。

The main new section involves extending the controlled-access highway southward from the Busega direction, connecting it to the existing Kampala–Entebbe road and linking toward Entebbe.

Kajjansi–Munyonyo Spur

The project also includes the construction of a branch line extending from Kajjansi toward Munyonyo.

Official project materials use approximately 12.62 kilometers Caliber.

This branch line further extends the expressway’s service to the southern urban areas of Kampala and the regions along Lake Victoria.

Project total length caliber

The project details page of Uganda’s Ministry of Works and Transport uses:

49.56 kilometers

Moreover, certain public documents, including other annual data from the Ugandan government, often employ:

51.4 kilometers

3. Engineering Challenges

3.1 Large-Area Wetlands and Soft Foundations

One of the most typical engineering environments along the Kampala–Entebbe Highway is the extensive distribution of… Swamps, wetlands, and highly water-saturated soft foundations 。

During the project’s preliminary phase, geological surveys were conducted specifically to investigate the swampy areas along the route, including site investigations, subgrade soil sampling, laboratory testing, and geotechnical analysis.

This means that certain road sections cannot be constructed with embankment fill in the same manner as typical terrestrial areas and must instead address the following key issues:

Bearing capacity of soft foundations;

Long-term subsidence;

High-water-content soil is stable;

Subgrade drainage;

Differential settlement between the bridge abutment and the soft soil foundation.

The project records of the relevant geotechnical engineering firm clearly state that swamp locations As the focal point of the geological survey for this project.

3.2 Nambigirwa Wetland 1.45-kilometer viaduct

To cross the Nambigirwa Wetland, the project constructed a bridge with a total length of approximately 1,450 meters The Nambigirwa Bridge.

This bridge has become one of the most iconic and pivotal structures along the entire Kampala–Entebbe Expressway.

According to the Ugandan government’s subsequent urban development planning documents:

The Kampala–Entebbe Expressway employs a bridge‑supported elevated structure in wetland areas to minimize the impact of road construction on the wetlands’ ecological functions.

Uganda’s national environmental management authority regards this approach as a best practice in wetland infrastructure development.

The relevant project report of the Ugandan government also explicitly states that, for the Nambigirwa section, the elevated bridge option was adopted, one of the purposes being to… Protect the Nambigirwa Swamp wetland system 。

Accordingly, the bridge is not only a structural engineering project but also an integral component of the project’s ecological engineering design.

3.3 Bridge Foundation Construction in Deep Soft Soil Conditions

Wetland conditions necessitate that bridge foundations penetrate thick, soft soil layers and reliably transfer loads to deep strata with adequate bearing capacity.

Long-span wetland viaducts such as the Nambigirwa Bridge pose challenges to:

Pile foundation construction;

Pier verticality;

Foundation settlement;

Girder construction;

Concrete durability;

Bridge Deck Smoothness

All have set high standards.

Meanwhile, the wetland’s aquatic environment further complicates construction platform operations, machinery deployment, material transportation, and environmental protection.

3.4 Tropical Rainfall and Road Water Damage

The Kampala–Entebbe Corridor is situated in a tropical, humid environment near Lake Victoria.

Prolonged rainfall, surface water in wetlands, and high groundwater levels impose stringent requirements on road drainage and the water‑damage resistance of asphalt pavements.

The road needs to pass through:

Box culvert;

Side ditch;

Bridges and culverts;

Subgrade drainage;

Surface runoff routing

Ensure that the subgrade remains in a stable working condition over the long term.

For asphalt pavements, the combined effects of high temperature, high humidity, and rainfall further underscore the importance of enhancing the adhesion between asphalt binder and aggregates as well as improving resistance to stripping.

3.5 Intersection of Expressways and Existing Urban Traffic

The project is located in the densely populated Greater Kampala metropolitan area.

Newly constructed expressways must cross and connect numerous existing urban roads while ensuring uninterrupted access for local residents and vehicles.

According to data from Uganda’s Ministry of Works and Transport, the project is equipped with:

19 overpasses, 17 underpasses, 44 box culverts, and several large bridge structures.

This means that the project’s construction not only involves the main highway alignment but also requires managing complex urban traffic diversions and intersection‑level roadworks.

3.6 Large-Scale Land Acquisition and Construction Organization Coordination

During project construction, land expropriation and the acquisition of right-of-way are also critical factors that influence construction planning and execution.

According to data from Uganda’s Ministry of Works and Transport, the project involves approximately 773.87 acres of land , the number of approved affected individuals is approximately 4,600 people , of whom approximately 4,500 have received the relevant compensation.

Construction progress on certain sections was at times delayed by land acquisition and compensation issues, resulting in a revision of the project’s final completion date compared to the original schedule.

4. Use of Products / Houde Products Applied

For expressways such as the Kampala–Entebbe Highway:

Tropical high-humidity expressway + extensive soft-soil subgrade + long-span elevated wetland bridge + asphalt pavement for highways + bridge and culvert structures

The project can be tailored to suit specific areas with Hode:

SBS modifier, high-performance anti-stripping agent, biaxially oriented plastic geogrid, duct grouting admixture (for highways), polycarboxylate-based high-performance water-reducing admixture (retarding type) 。

Product compatibility and disassembly

SBS modifier

It is suitable for asphalt pavements on expressways, enhancing the high-temperature stability, deformation resistance, and overall pavement performance of asphalt mixtures, thereby improving the rutting resistance of airport expressways under long-term traffic loading.

High-efficiency anti‑spalling agent

Suitable for Uganda’s tropical, high-humidity, and rainy climate.

By enhancing the adhesion between asphalt binder and aggregates, the risk of stripping and water damage caused by rainwater and moisture ingress into the asphalt pavement structure can be reduced.

Biaxially Oriented Plastic Geogrid

It is suitable for soft subgrades, roadbeds at wetland margins, high embankments, and road sections requiring reinforcement.

It can be used to enhance the overall stability and deformation resistance of the subgrade, as well as to help control differential settlement in areas with weak foundations.

Hole Grouting Agent (Highway)

Suitable for grouting of ducts in prestressed bridges.

For the Nambigirwa Bridge and other large-scale elevated bridge projects, excellent grout workability, stability, and compactness can help mitigate the risk of construction defects such as duct bleeding and voids, thereby providing long-term protection for the prestressing system.

Polycarboxylate Superplasticizer (Retarding Type)

Applicable to bridge pile foundations, cap beams, piers, girders, and other large reinforced concrete structures.

It can enhance the workability and slump retention of concrete, and by reducing the water‑to‑cement ratio and improving compactness, it provides material‑technical support for the long-term durability of bridge concrete in high‑humidity environments.

5. Technical Solution

The overall construction rationale of the Kampala–Entebbe Highway can be summarized as follows:

By integrating a controlled-access highway network, an urban interchange system, elevated wetland bridges, soft-ground subgrade treatment, airport access roads, and a toll‑collection and operations system, a high‑speed transportation corridor has been established between the capital, Kampala, and Entebbe International Airport.

5.1 Two-way, four-lane expressway system

The project adopts Four lanes in each direction Road system.

The design speed of the core control access and egress sections reaches a maximum of 100 kilometers per hour 。

Different functional zones adopt design speed standards of 100 km/h, 80 km/h, and 50 km/h, respectively, based on urban traffic conditions and airport connectivity.

This tiered design ensures high‑speed traffic efficiency while accommodating the diverse traffic conditions found at airports, in urban areas, and in zones connecting to existing road networks.

5.2 Wetland Viaduct Scheme

The project employs elevated viaducts in critical wetland areas, replacing conventional large-scale embankment construction.

Among them, the Nambigirwa Bridge is approximately 1.45 kilometers long.

Raising the roadway via bridge piers can:

Reduce direct occupation of wetlands;

Maintain wetland water flow exchange;

Reduce the risk of embankments obstructing water systems;

Reduce long-term settlement issues in soft ground.

This design was later cited by Uganda’s environmental management authorities as a best engineering practice for road crossings through wetlands.

5.3 Bridges, Culverts, and the Three-Dimensional Transportation System

According to official project documentation, the highway construction includes:

19 overpasses

17 underpasses

44 box culverts

as well as large bridge structures such as Busega, Nalukolongo, Kaggwa, and Nambigirwa.

A large number of grade-separated interchanges enable the high-speed mainline to traverse the existing road network in the Greater Kampala area while minimizing at-grade traffic conflicts.

5.4 Three Major Interchange Nodes

The project documentation of Uganda’s Ministry of Works and Transport lists the following major interchanges:

Busega Interchange

Kajjansi Interchange

Abaita Ababiri Interchange

Among them, Kajjansi also serves as a transportation hub for the branch line leading to Munyonyo.

5.5 Expressway Toll Collection and Operation System

The project plans to construct a toll road operation system.

Construction of major toll plazas at Busega, Kajjansi, and Mpala.

On January 8, 2022, the Kampala–Entebbe Expressway officially commenced toll‑based operations, becoming a key demonstration project within Uganda’s toll‑road operating framework.

5.6 Environmental Protection and Wetland Conservation

The engineering plan did not simply fill the entire wetland area to create a roadbed.

The project seeks to preserve the hydrological system and wetland ecological functions through measures such as elevated wetland bridges, while integrating environmental assessment requirements into the road design.

This combination of “road engineering + wetland conservation” gives the Kampala–Entebbe Expressway significant value as a representative case study in tropical wetland highway technology.

6. Project Outcomes

Uganda’s first toll highway has been completed.

The Kampala–Entebbe Highway is a landmark project within Uganda’s modern highway network.

On June 15, 2018, Uganda held a ceremony to inaugurate its highway project.

The major road sections that had already been completed were officially put into service.

According to the final project documentation from Uganda’s Ministry of Works and Transport:

As of the end of July 2019, the project’s physical progress had reached 100%.

Therefore, the official website recommends listing the project status as:

“The main road sections were opened to traffic in 2018, and all contracted works were completed in 2019.”

Significantly reduce airport transit time.

Prior to the project’s completion, due to congestion on the old Kampala–Entebbe Road, travel between the airport and Kampala often took approximately 2 hours Even longer.

After the project was put into operation, public reports indicate that typical trips using the expressway can be shortened to approximately 30–40 minutes 。

The stability of airport transportation times is crucial for:

International travelers, business travel, tourism, air logistics, and major international events

It has direct value.

The Nambigirwa Bridge has become an iconic bridge in Uganda.

The Nambigirwa Bridge, part of the project, has a total length of approximately 1.45 kilometers 。

The Wakiso District government refers to it as Uganda’s longest bridge Moreover, its cross-wetland structure has become the most iconic engineering landmark along the Kampala–Entebbe Expressway.

Officially commenced toll-based operations in 2022.

January 8, 2022 , tolls on the expressway officially went into effect.

In the early stages of toll operation, the actual average traffic volume has already reached approximately 20,000 vehicle trips per day , higher than the project’s early-stage forecast.

Operating traffic volume continues to grow.

As of August 2026, publicly available operational data indicate that the average daily traffic volume on the expressway has reached approximately 27,000 train trips 。

Since the commencement of toll operations, cumulative toll revenue has exceeded 192 billion Ugandan shillings , with cumulative road travel records exceeding 40 million vehicle trips 。

This indicates that the Kampala–Entebbe Expressway has become a critical piece of infrastructure for both daily urban commuting and airport‑related traffic in Uganda’s capital metropolitan area.

Creating local employment and skills-training opportunities

Xinhua News Agency reported during the project’s construction phase that, at the peak of construction, approximately 2,000 local employees and conduct training and skills transfer through project implementation.

As a result, the project has not only created road infrastructure assets but has also provided a practical platform for cultivating local engineering talent and building construction expertise.

7. Key Figures

The project’s length, contract details, financing arrangements, structural components, and construction status are primarily based on publicly available project information from Uganda’s Ministry of Works and Transport.

8. Value to China & Uganda

Value to Uganda

The most important function of the Kampala–Entebbe Highway is to establish a faster, more reliable… Capital—International Airport Transportation Corridor 。

Entebbe International Airport serves as Uganda’s primary hub for international passenger and cargo air transport.

Prior to the construction of the expressway, travel between Kampala and Entebbe relied on conventional roads. Ongoing urban development and rising traffic volumes resulted in severe congestion during peak periods, while journeys to the airport were subject to significant time uncertainty.

Once the expressway is put into operation, typical travel times will be reduced from approximately 2 hours to about 30–40 minutes, significantly enhancing transportation efficiency between the capital and the airport.

The project also serves the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area via nodes such as Kajjansi and Munyonyo, making it not only an airport access road but also an integral part of the city’s southern urban transportation network.

From the perspective of national transportation development, the project also possesses Toll Highway Operation Demonstration Meaning.

Following the commissioning of its toll‑collection system in 2022, the Kampala–Entebbe Expressway has become a key infrastructure example in Uganda for exploring how toll revenues can support road operation and maintenance.

Furthermore, the wetland viaduct design offers a valuable engineering reference for Uganda in constructing large-scale transportation infrastructure within wetland environments.

Value to China

The Kampala–Entebbe Highway is a flagship project showcasing Chinese enterprises’ involvement in Uganda’s major transportation infrastructure development.

The project is being implemented by **China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC)**, with approximately 73.58% of the project’s funding provided by the Export-Import Bank of China.

The project involves:

Airport expressway, urban interchanges, soft and weak wetlands, elevated bridges, deep foundations, asphalt pavement, and toll‑collection operating infrastructure.

and various other complex engineering scenarios.

In a 2018 project report, Xinhua News Agency noted that the project leverages Chinese engineering expertise and construction experience, while also promoting the transfer of technical skills through local employment and training.

From the perspective of Houde Engineering Materials Solutions, this project comprehensively demonstrates:

Tropical highway asphalt: durability, resistance to water damage; wetland soft-ground reinforcement; large‑scale bridge concrete and prestressed‑concrete works.

Typical material requirements, etc.

Therefore, the Kampala–Entebbe Expressway is well-suited as a showcase for Hode’s achievements:

Asphalt-modifying materials + geosynthetic materials + bridge grouting materials + high-performance concrete admixtures

A representative East African highway case study of integrated technical solutions.

FAQ | Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the Kampala–Entebbe Expressway project?

The Kampala–Entebbe Expressway is a vital high-speed transportation corridor connecting Uganda’s capital, Kampala, with Entebbe International Airport.

The project also connects to Munyonyo via the Kajjansi branch line, forming an integral part of the Greater Kampala metropolitan road network.

Q2: What is the total length of the Kampala–Entebbe Expressway?

There are two common versions in various official Ugandan sources.

The project details page of Uganda’s Ministry of Works and Transport uses 49.56 kilometers , commonly found in other government project documents and early public outreach materials 51.4 kilometers 。

Therefore, the official website of Houde recommends writing uniformly:

“The project has a total length of approximately 50 kilometers.”

When precise data are required, please specify:

“The project details provided by the Ugandan Ministry of Works and Transport cite a length of 49.56 kilometers.”

Q3: Is the Kampala–Entebbe Expressway Uganda’s first toll highway?

Yes.

Ugandan official sources describe it as the country’s first toll-road project.

The road was opened to traffic in 2018 and has since… Toll operations officially commenced on January 8, 2022. 。

Q4: How long is the Nambigirwa Bridge?

Nambigirwa Bridge has a total length of approximately 1,450 meters , spanning the Nambigirwa wetland area.

The Wakiso District government refers to it as Uganda’s longest bridge It is also one of the most representative key control projects along the Kampala–Entebbe Expressway.

Q5: What is the biggest engineering challenge of the project?

The project primarily faces:

Extensive wetlands, soft ground foundations, long‑span elevated bridges over wetlands, tropical high humidity and heavy rainfall, complex urban road interchanges, and large‑scale land acquisition coordination.

Awaiting engineering challenges.

Among them, the Nambigirwa Wetland Viaduct is the most representative structural engineering project.

Q6: By how much has the travel time between Kampala and Entebbe Airport improved?

Prior to the project’s construction, travel times under congested conditions could take approximately 2 hours 。

After the expressway is put into service, the typical travel time can be reduced to approximately 30–40 minutes 。

Q7: Which products from Houde are suitable for highway projects similar to the Kampala–Entebbe Expressway?

For similar high-speed and wetland road projects at tropical, high-humidity airports, the thickness of the Hode material can be tailored to suit the specific structural components.

SBS modifier, high-performance anti-stripping agent, biaxially oriented plastic geogrid, duct grouting admixture (for highways), polycarboxylate-based high-performance water-reducing admixture (retarding type) 。

Applicable to:

Highway asphalt pavement;

Resistant to water damage in high-humidity environments;

Reinforcement of weak subgrades;

Grouting of prestressed bridge ducts;

Concrete construction for large bridges.

Q8: Why is this project well-suited as a case study for highway material solutions?

Because the project simultaneously possesses:

Tropical humid climate, extensive soft‑soil wetlands, a 1.45‑kilometer wetland elevated bridge, urban interchanges, an airport expressway, high‑performance asphalt pavement, and long‑term operational traffic loads.

Typical engineering conditions.

These scenarios collectively highlight the impact of large-scale tropical highways on:

Pavement rutting resistance, resistance to water damage, soft‑ground stabilization, bridge durability, and the quality of prestressing construction.

Comprehensive requirements for material properties.

Therefore, it is highly representative of overseas highway material solutions.