Economy, Transportation

Paved roads connect the major urban areas of southern Uganda, but more than 90 percent of the country’s roads are dirt or gravel. The main roads were repaved during the 1990s after decades of neglect, but the railroad, which connects Uganda to Nairobi and Mombasa in Kenya, needs upgrading. Steamer traffic on Lake Victoria has been curtailed by the spread of hyacinth weed, which blocks harbors and clogs motors. The main lake ports are Port Bell, serving Kampala, and Jinja. The international airport is located in Entebbe, on Lake Victoria. Uganda Airlines, established in 1976, is the national carrier and serves domestic, East African, and a few European airports.