Uganda Toll Roads Complete Guide: Kampala-Entebbe Expressway Rates & Payment 2026
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Uganda Toll Roads Complete Guide 2026
System: Electronic toll collection — Upesi smart card (tap-and-go) + cash at toll booths
Operator: UNRA (Uganda National Roads Authority) — policy; Egis Road Operation — operations & maintenance (contract expiring 2026)
Currency: Ugandan Shilling (UGX / Shs)
Coverage: Kampala–Entebbe Expressway — Uganda's first and only toll road (51.4 km; 26.2 km tolled section)
Technology: Upesi RFID smart cards, MTN MoMo, Airtel Money, Stanbic FlexiPay, cash at toll points
Do I Need to Pay Tolls in Uganda? 2026 Update
Yes — you must pay a toll when using the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway (KEE), Uganda's first and only toll road. The expressway is a controlled-access, 4-lane highway linking Entebbe International Airport to Kampala. Toll barriers are at each of three plazas — you cannot enter or exit the expressway without paying.
Key Reality: Tolling began on 8 January 2022 under a financing model designed to repay Uganda's $350 million China Exim Bank loan for the expressway's construction. As of January 2025, the road has recorded over 25.3 million vehicle passages and collected UGX 119.8 billion — well above initial projections. Daily traffic has grown from a projected 13,000 to over 28,000 vehicles.
2026 Update: The Egis Road Operation maintenance and toll collection contract — originally signed for five years from May 2021 — is due to expire in 2026. UNRA has not yet publicly confirmed whether Egis will be renewed, extended under the optional two-year extension clause, or replaced by a new operator. The Kampala-Jinja Expressway (95 km, USD 1.4 billion) — Uganda's second planned toll road — reached bid-opening stage in March 2025, marking a major step toward construction.
Uganda Toll Costs: Current Rates (2026)
All tolls apply per trip — defined as a single one-direction journey starting from any of the three entry plazas (Busega, Kajjansi or Mpala) and ending at any exit point. Rates have not been increased since tolling launched in January 2022; the Ugandan government sets all tariff policy.
Standard Toll Rates by Vehicle Class (2026)
| Vehicle Class | Description | Cash Rate / Trip (UGX) | Easy Pass (10% off) | Weekly Pass (50% off) | Monthly Pass (70% off) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Motorcycles >400cc | 3,000 | 2,700 | 1,500 | 900 |
| Class 2 | Light vehicles (with or without trailer) | 5,000 | 4,500 | 2,500 | 1,500 |
| Class 3 | Medium goods vehicles (2–3 axles) | 10,000 | 9,000 | 5,000 | 3,000 |
| Class 4 | Large goods vehicles / buses (4–5 axles) | 15,000 | 13,500 | 7,500 | 4,500 |
| Class 5 | Extra-large goods vehicles (6+ axles) | 18,000 | 16,200 | 9,000 | 5,400 |
| Exempt vehicles | Presidential motorcade, ambulances, fire brigade trucks, police on official duty | FREE | — | — | — |
Note: Rates unchanged since tolling launch in January 2022. A "trip" is one direction. Weekly Pass: 14 trips valid for any 7 consecutive days. Monthly Pass: 60 trips valid for any 30 consecutive days. Trips can be topped up before current pass expires — validity extended by another 7 or 30 days from top-up date. No exemption for motorcycles under 400cc — all must pay.
Upesi Card Minimum Top-Up Amounts (Class 2 Light Vehicles)
| Card Type | Discount | Min. Top-Up (UGX) | Trips | Top-Up Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy Pass | 10% off cash rate | 20,000 | Prepaid balance-based | Unlimited top-ups |
| Weekly Pass | 50% off — 14 trips / 7 days | 35,000 | 14 trips per 7-day period | Top up twice max |
| Monthly Pass | 70% off — 60 trips / 30 days | 90,000 | 60 trips per 30-day period | Top up twice max |
Minimum top-up amounts and trip limits apply per vehicle class — the figures above are for Class 2 (light vehicles). Contact kee.go.ug for other class schedules. Card issuance: free on first issue. Replacement: UGX 20,000 (balance transferred to new card).
How to Pay Uganda Tolls
Two payment methods are available at the toll plaza itself. Upesi card top-ups can be done remotely via three digital channels.
1. Upesi Electronic Smart Card (Recommended):
- Preloaded RFID card — tap at the card reader at any toll booth to deduct the appropriate fare; no stopping required beyond normal lane flow
- Card is free on first issuance — obtain at Busega, Kajjansi or Mpala toll plaza with National ID or Driving Permit (and vehicle plate for Weekly/Monthly passes)
- Choose from three card types: Easy Pass (10% discount), Weekly Pass (50%, 14 trips/7 days) or Monthly Pass (70%, 60 trips/30 days)
- Works across multiple vehicles on the Easy Pass; Weekly and Monthly passes are vehicle-specific (plate registered)
- Balance is preserved if card is lost — report immediately on 0800 270 170; replacement card costs UGX 20,000
- Top-up before current pass period expires to extend validity by a further 7 or 30 days from the top-up date
2. Cash at Toll Booth:
- Ugandan Shillings only; no card payment directly at the barrier — cash is the only non-card option at the booth
- No discount applies; standard class rates charged
- Available 24/7 at all three toll plazas
3. Upesi Card Top-Up Channels (Remote — Not at the Booth):
- MTN Mobile Money: Dial *165*4*5*6# (USSD) or use the MTN MoMo app
- Airtel Money: Dial *185*4*10# (USSD) or use the Airtel app
- Stanbic FlexiPay: Dial *291# (USSD) or use the FlexiPay app — added in 2023 to improve weekend/after-hours access
- Cash at Point of Sale: Upesi offices at Busega, Kajjansi and Mpala toll plazas, open Monday–Friday 7 AM–7 PM, Saturday 9 AM–5 PM
To calculate toll costs for cars, trucks, motorcycles and all vehicle types on the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway, use the TollGuru Uganda toll calculator:
Kampala-Entebbe Expressway — Key Facts
Route and Toll Plaza Locations:
- Busega Toll Plaza: Northern end — connects to Kampala Northern Bypass at Busega junction; main entry for traffic from central Kampala and western Uganda
- Kajjansi Toll Plaza: Mid-point — with 1.2 km spur road to Munyonyo on the northern shores of Lake Victoria; launched January 2023
- Mpala Toll Plaza: Southern end — Airport interchange providing direct access to Entebbe International Airport
Technical Specifications:
- Total expressway length: 51.4 km (Kampala Northern Bypass at Busega to Entebbe International Airport)
- Tolled section: 26.2 km (Busega through Kajjansi to Mpala) — the greenfield PPP portion
- Lanes: 4 lanes (2x2 dual carriageway); 17 toll lanes across 3 plazas (7 each at Busega and Mpala, 3 at Kajjansi)
- Speed limit: 80 km/h; designed access control — no at-grade intersections on the tolled section
- Full street lighting across all 51 km; 24/7 operation including public holidays
- Construction completed June 2018 by China Communications Construction Company (CCCC); cost USD 476 million total (USD 350m China Exim Bank loan + USD 126m Government of Uganda)
Financial Performance (as of January 2025):
- Total toll revenue collected since January 2022: UGX 119.8 billion (~USD 32 million)
- Monthly revenue: approximately UGX 3.7 billion per month
- Total passages recorded: 25.3 million (across all three plazas combined)
- Daily traffic: 28,000 vehicles (vs. initial projection of 13,000 — more than double the estimate)
- Road accident reduction: from 21 crashes/month in year one to 9 crashes/month by January 2025
- Loan repayment schedule: USD 26.8 million annually from July 2019 to January 2032
Recent Changes & Key Developments (2026)
Egis Contract Expiry — 2026 Transition:
- Egis Road Operation SA (French operator) was contracted from May 2021 for five years — the initial term expires in 2026
- The contract includes an optional extension of up to two years at UNRA's discretion
- UNRA has not yet publicly announced whether Egis will be renewed or a new operator procured — watch kee.go.ug and UNRA for updates through 2026
- Tariff policy remains UNRA/Government of Uganda's responsibility regardless of operator change — current rates are not expected to change as part of an operator transition
March 2025 — Kampala-Jinja Expressway Bid Opening:
- Uganda's Ministry of Works and Transport conducted the bid-opening session for the Kampala-Jinja Expressway (KJE) in March 2025 — a pivotal milestone after years of delays
- Proposed route: ~95 km from Nakawa (Kampala) through Namanve, Mukono to the New Jinja Bridge at Njeru; estimated cost USD 1.2–1.4 billion
- Design: 8-lane section for first 4 km, narrowing to 6 lanes through Mukono and 4 lanes to Jinja; 60+ bridges and major interchanges
- PPP structure: Design, Build, Finance, Operate, Maintain and Transfer (DBFOMT) — 30-year concession with government contributing ~USD 400m from AfDB and AFD loans
- Will be Uganda's second toll expressway; projected to generate at least USD 1 billion in toll revenue over the 30-year concession
- Directly serves the Northern Corridor linking Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and eastern DRC to the Port of Mombasa, Kenya
January 2025 — Three-Year Tolling Milestone:
- Ministry of Works and Transport confirmed 25.3 million vehicle passages recorded; UGX 119.8 billion collected in three years of tolling
- 28,000 vehicles using the expressway daily — more than double the pre-tolling projection of 13,000
- Accidents on the corridor fell from 21 per month to 9 per month — a 57% reduction since full safety lighting was installed
- Over 4,570 Upesi card holders benefiting from discounted travel
Busega-Mpigi Expressway — Under Construction:
- A separate Busega-Mpigi Expressway is under active construction, extending Uganda's expressway network southwestward from the KEE's Busega interchange toward Masaka and the Tanzanian border
- No toll details confirmed yet for this corridor
Planning Your Journey
Journey Times and Cost Considerations:
- Kampala (Busega) to Entebbe Airport: 30–45 minutes (vs. 1–2 hours on the old road during peak hours)
- Single car trip (Class 2, cash): UGX 5,000 (~USD 1.35); Upesi Easy Pass: UGX 4,500
- Daily commuter using Monthly Pass (Class 2): UGX 1,500 per trip — saving UGX 70,000+ versus cash on 60 monthly trips
- Airport transfer convenience: The most direct, time-certain route to Entebbe International Airport for international travellers
Free Alternative:
- The original Entebbe Road (Kampala-Entebbe Road) remains free of charge and is actively maintained by UNRA using tax revenues
- Significantly slower during peak hours: 1–2 hours, with heavy congestion at Lweza, Seguku and Kibuye roundabout
- Practical for non-urgent trips; not recommended for time-sensitive airport travel
Emergency Services — Free on the Expressway:
- Free first-aid assistance, roadside emergency response and towing are available 24/7 along the expressway — call the toll-free line: 0800 270 170
- Target response time: 10 minutes to any incident point on the 51 km route
- 120,000+ motorists have been assisted through emergency services since the expressway opened
Uganda vs. Regional Countries (2026)
| Country | System Type | Current Status | Typical Car Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uganda | Upesi smart card + cash; single expressway | Active; Egis contract to 2026 | UGX 3,000–18,000 per trip (cash) |
| Kenya | ETC (M-PESA / Expressway card) | Active — Nairobi Expressway | KES 100–420 per trip |
| Tanzania | Cash + NSSF bundle passes | Active — Nyerere Bridge (Dar es Salaam only) | TZS 300–1,500 per crossing |
| South Africa | Cash + e-tag + contactless; national network | Active; 3.12% increase March 2026 | ZAR 15–126 per plaza |
| Nigeria | Cash; HDMI PPP concessions expanding | Keffi-Makurdi corridor live Feb 2025 | NGN 500–1,600 per gate |
| Ghana | MLFF e-tolling launching Q4 2026 | No tolls until Q4 2026 | GH₵ 1–1.50 per pass (proposed) |
| Egypt | Smart ETC + cash; intercity highways | Active on Cairo-area highways | EGP 10–30 per journey |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I avoid Uganda tolls completely?
Yes — the original Kampala-Entebbe Road remains free and is maintained by UNRA with public funds. It is significantly slower (1–2 hours vs. 30–45 minutes on the expressway) and heavily congested during peak hours, especially at Lweza, Seguku and Kibuye roundabout. If time is not a priority and you are not catching a flight, the free road is a viable option.
What happens if I don't pay the toll?
The Kampala-Entebbe Expressway is a controlled-access highway with physical toll barriers at all three entry plazas. Vehicles cannot access the expressway without paying at the barrier — there is no gantry-style open-road billing. If you have insufficient balance on your Upesi card, the barrier will not open; you must top up or pay cash.
Are there any vehicle exemptions?
Only four categories are exempt: presidential motorcade, ambulances, fire brigade trucks, and police vehicles on official duty. Critically, there is no exemption for motorcycles under 400cc — all motorised vehicles not in these four categories pay the applicable class rate. No exemption exists for diplomatic vehicles, military vehicles, or emergency services other than ambulances and fire brigade.
How do I get an Upesi card?
Visit any of the three Upesi offices at Busega, Kajjansi or Mpala toll plazas (Monday–Friday 7 AM–7 PM, Saturday 9 AM–5 PM). Bring your National ID or Driving Permit; for Weekly and Monthly pass cards, also bring your vehicle registration number. The card itself is issued free of charge. Once issued, top up via MTN MoMo (*165*4*5*6#), Airtel Money (*185*4*10#), Stanbic FlexiPay (*291#), or cash at the Point of Sale.
When will Uganda get a second toll road?
The Kampala-Jinja Expressway (95 km, USD 1.4 billion) reached the bid-opening stage in March 2025 — a significant milestone after years of procurement delays. One consortium submitted a bid. The PPP structure requires a 30-year concession with government contributing USD 400m from AfDB and AFD loans. Construction timeline has not been confirmed; given past delays, optimistic estimates suggest construction could begin 2026–2027 and commission approximately 2031–2032. It will also be a toll road.
What are the expressway operating hours?
The Kampala-Entebbe Expressway and all three toll plazas operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week including public holidays. Toll collection is continuous at Busega, Kajjansi and Mpala. Emergency services (first aid, towing) are also available 24/7 — call the toll-free line: 0800 270 170.
Useful Links & Resources
East African Toll Networks:
- Kenya Toll Roads — Nairobi Expressway; M-PESA electronic payment
- Tanzania Toll Roads — Nyerere Bridge (Dar es Salaam); NSSF bundle passes; JP Magufuli Bridge (toll-free)
- South Africa Toll Roads — Extensive national network; 3.12% increase March 2026
- Nigeria Toll Roads — Federal HDMI concessions; Keffi-Makurdi active since Feb 2025
- Ghana Toll Roads — MLFF e-tolling launching Q4 2026
- Egypt Toll Roads — Smart ETC system on Cairo-area highways
- Côte d'Ivoire Toll Roads — Active tolls on Abidjan corridor
- Morocco Toll Roads — National autoroute network with Télépéage
Official Authorities & Contacts:
- Kampala-Entebbe Expressway official site: kee.go.ug — toll fee schedule, discounts, FAQs
- UNRA (Uganda National Roads Authority): unra.go.ug
- Egis Road Operation Uganda: expressway operator (toll collection and maintenance)
- Emergency / Breakdown (toll-free): 0800 270 170 (24/7)
- Customer Service: 0762 262 163 | customercare@kee.go.ug
- Upesi card top-up — MTN MoMo: *165*4*5*6# | Airtel Money: *185*4*10# | Stanbic FlexiPay: *291#
