Assessing tolling a as a means of road infrastructure development in Uganda: a case of Kampala Entebbe Expressway

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to assess tolling as a means of road infrastructure development in Uganda, using Kampala-Entebbe Expressway as a case study, the study was guided by three objectives; to examine the relevance of tolling as a means of road infrastructure development in Uganda, to establish the challenges associated with tolling in the roads’ subsector in Uganda and to suggest strategies of improving road tolling as a means of road infrastructure development in Uganda. The study used descriptive cross-sectional research design that was reinforced by quantitative research approach while assessing tolling operations. The study used the population of 556 road users and Egis staff, from which a sample of 217 who were selected were stratified and later simple random sampling. Qualitative data was collected using self-administered questionnaires where respondents were asked to give their opinions based on Likert scale. Collected data was tested using CVI where all the three coefficient values for variables were above benchmark of 0.7. Findings revealed that toll roads (the KEE) eases movement of freight passengers to and from Entebbe international airport and is user friendly because it rarely attracts traffic congestion, this is a toll road best practice. The major challenge is tolls are perceived by the public to be unnecessary additional tax burden thus some road users resort to other free usage alternative routes hence Expressway is underutilized, this is not a standard practice. The study recommends adoption of best toll practices to be used as a foundation to improve tolling operations and adopt tolling as one of the means to road infrastructure development in Uganda. The study also recommends enhancing knowledge and awareness about road tolls to sustain road usage hence realization of the required revenue.