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Uganda Toll Roads Complete Guide: Kampala-Entebbe Expressway

System: Cash tolling and Electronic Toll Collection (Upesi Card)
Operator: Egis Road Operation Uganda under UNRA O&M contract
Currency: Ugandan Shilling (UGX) strictly; NO foreign currency accepted
Coverage: 51 km Kampala-Entebbe Expressway (sole tolled road in Uganda)
Technology: Upesi prepaid smart cards, manned cash lanes, ANPR cameras

Do I Need an Upesi Card for Uganda? 2026 Update

No, you do not need an Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) Upesi Card to use the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway. All toll plazas operate staffed cash lanes accepting Ugandan Shillings (UGX) only. However, Upesi Card holders benefit from faster processing and substantial discounts ranging from 10% to 50% on tolls.

Key Reality: The Kampala-Entebbe Expressway is the only tolled road in Uganda. Opened in June 2018, it is a 51 km, four-lane divided highway connecting Kampala (Busega interchange) to Entebbe International Airport. It cuts the journey from over 90 minutes to approximately 40 minutes under normal traffic conditions.

2026 Update: The operations and maintenance contract managed by Egis Road Operation Uganda remains active. UNRA continues to oversee the concession and toll rate schedule. Rates have been stable since tolling commenced, with no announced increase for 2026; travelers should confirm at the plaza as adjustments are at UNRA's discretion.

Uganda Toll Costs: Current Rates

Tolls on the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway are charged at three main plaza points: Busega, Kajjansi, and Mpala. Rates are set per vehicle class by axle configuration and vehicle size. You only pay once per journey.

Current Toll Rates by Vehicle Class (2026)

Class	Vehicle Type	Toll per Trip (UGX)	Approx. USD (Reference Only)
Class 1	Motorcycles (>400cc ONLY)	UGX 3,000	~$0.81
Class 2	Light Vehicles (Cars, Pick-ups, SUVs)	UGX 5,000	~$1.35
Class 3	Minibuses & Light Commercial Vehicles	UGX 10,000	~$2.70
Class 4	Buses & Medium Commercial Vehicles	UGX 15,000	~$4.05
Class 5	Heavy Goods Vehicles (4 or more axles)	UGX 18,000	~$4.86

USD approximations based on exchange rate of approximately UGX 3,700 per USD. US Dollars are NOT accepted at the toll booths. Cash must be paid in UGX.

Toll Plaza Locations

Plaza	Location	Direction	Notes
Busega Toll Plaza	Kampala end of the Expressway	Both directions	Main entry/exit point; cash and Upesi
Kajjansi Toll Plaza	Mid-route interchange	Both directions	Connects to Munyonyo spur; cash and Upesi
Mpala Toll Plaza	Entebbe end of the Expressway	Both directions	Main airport approach; cash and Upesi

A full one-way trip from Kampala to Entebbe Airport costs UGX 5,000 (Class 2 car). You only pay once per journey regardless of distance traveled.

To calculate toll costs for cars, trucks, motorcycles and all vehicle types on Ugandan toll roads, use the TollGuru Uganda toll calculator:

Uganda Toll Calculator

How to Pay Uganda Tolls

All toll plazas on the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway accept two payment methods:

1. Cash Payment (Most Common)

• Ugandan Shillings (UGX) strictly accepted at all lanes
• US Dollars (USD) and other foreign currencies are NOT accepted to prevent transaction delays
• Staffed booths operate 24 hours, 7 days a week
• No credit or debit card acceptance directly at the plaza booths

2. Electronic Toll Collection (Upesi Card)

• A prepaid electronic smart card (tap-and-go) issued by Egis
• Dedicated ETC lanes at each plaza for faster passage
• Offers major discounts: Easy Pass (10%), Weekly Pass (33%), Monthly Pass (50%)
• Top-up available via mobile money (MTN, Airtel), banking apps, or physical plaza offices
• Contact Egis Toll Plaza offices to register for an Upesi account

Practical Tips

• Carry exact UGX change or small denominations to minimize delay at cash lanes
• Peak hours (07:00–09:00 and 17:00–20:00 weekdays) see longer queues at cash lanes; Upesi lanes move faster
• Rental cars and taxis typically pay cash; confirm with your rental provider if they provide a card

Enforcement & Penalties

The Kampala-Entebbe Expressway operates barrier-controlled toll plazas; vehicles cannot proceed without paying. There are no open-road tolling gantries where a vehicle can pass without stopping.

• Barrier evasion: Physical barrier arms prevent passage without payment. Forcing through a barrier is a criminal offence under Ugandan traffic law and may result in arrest, vehicle impoundment, and fines
• ETC insufficient balance: If an Upesi card has insufficient funds, the system diverts the vehicle to a cash lane; the driver must pay the applicable cash toll before the barrier opens
• Wrong vehicle class declaration: Egis staff visually classify vehicles; deliberate misclassification is subject to the full toll for the correct class plus an administrative penalty
• UNRA enforcement: Uganda National Roads Authority and traffic police have authority to issue fines for violations on the expressway under the Uganda Roads Act

Recent Changes (2026)

Expressway Operations:

• Toll rates have remained unchanged since tolling launched; UNRA has not announced a 2026 tariff revision as of the time of publication
• Egis Road Operation Uganda continues to manage tolling and maintenance under their contract with UNRA
• Entebbe International Airport expansion works (new passenger terminal) have increased traffic volumes on the expressway, particularly during morning peak hours

Planned Developments:

• UNRA has announced feasibility studies for additional tolled expressways in Uganda including the Kampala Northern Bypass and a future Kampala-Jinja Expressway; no toll collection on these routes is active as of 2026
• Mobile money toll top-up integrations for the Upesi Card (MTN Mobile Money and Airtel Money) are now fully active, drastically improving recharge convenience.

Planning Your Journey

Cost Considerations:

• Kampala to Entebbe Airport (full route, Class 2 car): UGX 5,000 (~USD 1.35) one-way
• Return trip (Entebbe to Kampala): UGX 5,000 (~USD 1.35)
• Daily commuter using expressway twice: approximately UGX 10,000 per day
• Monthly commuter cost (20 working days): approximately UGX 200,000, which can be heavily reduced by purchasing a discounted Upesi Monthly Pass

Toll-Free Alternative:

• The old Entebbe Road (Kampala Road via Kajjansi and Katabi) remains toll-free but typically takes 60–120 minutes depending on traffic, compared to approximately 35–45 minutes on the expressway
• For airport transfers, the expressway is strongly recommended to avoid missed flights during peak-hour congestion on the old road

Airport Transfer Advice:

• Allow 45–60 minutes from central Kampala to Entebbe Airport via expressway during off-peak hours
• During morning peak (07:00–09:00), allow 60–75 minutes including plaza queue time
• Ensure you have exact UGX 5,000 notes; USD is not accepted at the toll gates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I avoid the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway toll?

Yes. The old Entebbe Road (Kampala–Entebbe Highway) is entirely toll-free and runs parallel to the expressway. However, it passes through towns including Kajjansi, Katabi, and Entebbe town centre, making it significantly slower, especially during peak hours. For airport connections, the toll cost of UGX 5,000 is widely considered worthwhile.

Do boda-bodas (motorcycle taxis) use the expressway?

No. Standard boda-bodas (motorcycles under 400cc), bicycles, and pedestrians are strictly prohibited from using the expressway for safety reasons. Only large capacity motorcycles over 400cc are legally permitted to enter and must pay the Class 1 toll.

Do tourists pay the same toll rates as Ugandan residents?

Yes. There are no tourist surcharges. All drivers pay the same rate by vehicle class. Tourists must pay in UGX, as foreign currencies including USD are strictly not accepted at the toll plazas.

Are there any toll discounts or exemptions?

Emergency vehicles (ambulances, fire engines, police) are exempt from toll payment. Private motorists and frequent users can receive 10%, 33%, or 50% discounts on tolls exclusively by registering for the Upesi Card and purchasing respective Easy, Weekly, or Monthly passes.

Does the expressway have fuel stations and rest areas?

The expressway itself has limited services along the 51 km route. Fuel stations, restaurants, and services are available at interchanges in Entebbe and at the Busega interchange near Kampala. There is no large motorway service area mid-route.

What is the speed limit on the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway?

The general speed limit is 100 km/h on the main carriageway, reduced to 80 km/h near interchanges and toll plazas. Speed cameras are deployed along the expressway and traffic police conduct patrols.

Uganda vs. Neighbouring Countries

Country	System Type	Typical Cost (Car)	Coverage
Uganda	Cash + Upesi Card (barrier)	UGX 5,000 (~USD 1.35) per trip	1 expressway (51 km)
Kenya	Electronic + cash (barrier)	KES 100–400 per trip	Nairobi Expressway + select roads
Tanzania	Cash (barrier)	TZS 1,000–3,000 per plaza	Select trunk roads and bridges
Nigeria	Active federal tolling (Abuja-Makurdi)	₦500 for cars	Cashless POS payments
Ghana	Electronic system (concession approved)	Currently toll-free; design active	20-year PPP concession
South Africa	Electronic + cash (barrier)	ZAR 10–60 per plaza	National toll routes (SANRAL)

Official Resources

• Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) - Government authority overseeing the O&M contract and expressway policy
• Kampala Entebbe Expressway Official Site - Official operator site for Upesi Card registration and toll updates
• Civil Aviation Authority Uganda - Entebbe International Airport authority; useful for flight times when planning expressway journeys

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