The Government is progressing with the phased construction of a 218-kilometer four-lane tarmac road stretching from Igawa through Uyole and Songwe to Tunduma.
This was announced today, May 14, 2025, in Parliament in Dodoma by the Deputy Minister for Works, Engineer Godfrey Kasekenya, while responding to a question posed by Special Seats Member of Parliament Juliana Shonza, who inquired about the commencement of the road construction from Igawa to Tunduma.
“The Government has already commenced implementation, starting with the 36-kilometer section from Nsalaga–Ifisi to Songwe. This phase is currently 25% complete,” said Engineer Kasekenya.
“Preparations are also underway to construct the remaining sections of the road through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.”he added
The Deputy Minister further noted that the Government has allocated TZS 10 billion for compensation to residents affected by the Uyole–Songwe bypass, and the compensation process is ongoing.
“Madam Deputy Speaker, this project has been allocated funding in the 2025/26 national budget, with further provisions planned for the 2026/27 financial year. A contractor has already been secured, and we are in the final stages of mobilization for work to begin on key sections, particularly the Kamsamba–Mlowo and Mbalizi–Mkwajuni roads. These improvements aim to ease the heavy traffic congestion at the Tanzania–Zambia border,” emphasized the Deputy Minister.
In a related development, Engineer Kasekenya also reported that the Government has completed feasibility studies and detailed designs for the bridges over the Chobe, Yusa, and Nkoma rivers along the Mwangongo–Lalago–Meatu–Sibiti River road, covering a stretch of 20.78 kilometers. The Government is actively seeking funding for the construction of these bridges.