A contrasting approach to road sector reforms : the case study of Uganda experience

The key features of the road reform process initiated in Uganda are: (a) development of an analytical basis to review different road financing and management options; (b) commitment and ownership of the reform program; (c) perception of transport as one of the important sectors of the economy; and (d) development of a sector investment policy and plan. Consistent with the Government's objective of eliminating direct state involvement in all but essential public services and improving institutional efficiency, key initiatives include: providing a description of the reforms in road management and financing pursued in Uganda over the past few years; evaluating the Uganda experience and providing a comparison of road sector reforms in Uganda with those followed in some other Road Management Initiative (RMI) counties; presenting key findings of the study and the way forward. This study documents Uganda's experience with regard to some aspects of the design and implementation of road management and financing reforms. It is based on fieldwork and stakeholder discussions held by the author in Uganda in the latter part of last year. It also responds to interest expressed by other RMI members in the Ugandan approach and its impact. The study also provides a comparison with the road reform process pursued in some of the other countries under the (RMI).