KAMPALA — Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has described as fake reports that they we’ve started collection of Toll fees to allow access onto the Kampala—Entebbe Expressway.
Several online channels had on Tuesday June 30 indicated that UNRA was to commence collection of toll fees starting July 1.
“Carry some money on you as you drive on Entebbe Expressway. The toll collection is effective Wednesday July 01, 2020…just avoid any embarrassment. On the other hand SGS will be carrying on Vehicle inspection on impromptu checks..so try to carry enough for that service too and get your sticker. Your vehicle must be fit enough to pass test,” the online posts alleged.
But in public notice on Wednesday July 1, Mr. Allan Ssempebwa the Media Relations, Public and Corporates Manger at UNRA described the reports as romours
“Please disregard rumours circulating on Social Media channels that we’ve started collection of Toll fees to allow access onto the Kampala—Entebbe Expressway,” he wrote.
Ssempebwa said an official communication will be made to this effect once the ongoing Tolling preparations are concluded.
Parliament last year passed the Roads Bill, 2018, which provides for the collection of road tolls. The expressway is currently Uganda’s only toll road with three main toll plazas that consist of 16 toll gates.
Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, the works minister while presenting the ministry’s progress report on its implementation of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Manifesto 2016-2021, said motorists on the newly completed 51km Kampala-Entebbe Expressway will soon begin paying the road toll.
In November 2010, the Government and China signed an agreement where the Chinese government through the Exim Bank of China loaned Uganda $350m (about sh1.3 trillion) for the construction of the expressway. The loan is repayable over a period of 40 years.
