The African Development Bank has approved a $125.6m (UA80m) loan to Uganda to finance its Road Sector Support Project 3.

The Road Sector Support Project 3 involves improving road connectivity in the rural areas of Western Uganda covering the Kiruhura, Ibanda and Kamwenge districts.

Major work includes upgrading the 143km stretch of the Nyakahita-Ibanda-Kamwenge Road and installing a weigh-bridge to control vehicle over-load.

The loan will also fund the project’s other components including the Environment and Social Management Plan as well as safety, feasibility and detailed design studies for 83km Kayunga-Galiraya and 111km Hoima-Butiaba-Wanseko roads.

Once finished, the five-year project will benefit nearly 800,000 people by reducing travel times, travel costs and improving road safety.

The loan will cover up nearly 92.3% of the total $173.1m (UA110.27m) project, with the reminder funded by the Government of Uganda.