Works on the first phase of the Kampala Flyover and Road Upgrading Project are expected to be complete by the end of 2022; Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has projected.
The project seeks to improve traffic flow within the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA) and decongest the Central Business District.
On May 4, 2019, Japanese firm Shimizu Konoike Joint Venture commenced works on lot one which entails construction of a Flyover at Clock Tower, a four lane Underpass at Nsambya, Three Pedestrian Bridges, Junction improvements and general road widening.
This is funded by a $80.5 million loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Recently, there have been sceptic voices that the project was ill conceived and may not be completed on time.
However, during an onsite inspection tour on July 8, 2022; UNRAs Director of Roads and Bridges Eng. Sam Muhoozi explained that basing on the physical progress thus far, this target is achievable.
“You have seen, the structures are now up and running and that is why we are confident that by the end of this year in December we shall have this phase one of the project complete and then we shall embark on phase two. At the moment we are at 65% (Physical Progress),” Muhoozi intimated.
About Shs Shs 179.7 billion has been spent on the project so far.
Muhoozi added that construction of three pedestrian bridges at Shoprite (92 m), Kibuli (40 m) and Clock Tower (239 m) are in final stages.
A joint communiqué by the agency puts the progress of the Flyover Bridge Structure at 83%, The Nsambya Underpass (87%) and road works including retaining walls at 60%.
At the moment, Muhoozi hinted that construction of major drainage (Box Culverts), relocation of utilities like electricity and the demolition of the iconic Old Clock Tower are done.
“The Clock Tower is also being relocated to a nearby place there and it will be beautified with a waterfall and some landscaping so that it is a good tourist attraction,” he said.
On whether this is going to be a toll road, Muhoozi responded, “maybe you never know in the future but at the moment the National Resistance Movement (NRM) is providing free services to the population.”
Phase Two of the project spans from the end of Lot One along Mukwano Road through Access road, part of Yusuf Lule road to Garden City Roundabout and part of Jinja road up to Wampewo roundabout.
Implications of poor transport Network
Volume one, issue two of the Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) “Entambula Yo” report indicates that roads in the city account for ninety percent of transport modes as opposed to rail and water.
Public transport in Kampala is dominated by 14-seater matatus with a population of 17,203 and Boda boda (bicycle and motorcycle taxis) whose actual population is yet to be registered but in the past increased from 15,979 in 2007 to 405,124 in 2014.
As a result of poor planned roads, it is estimated that over 24,000 man-hours are lost in traffic jams each year. The vehicle hours each year are estimated at 26,000 hours. The lost time and time vehicles spend on the road give an indication of the monetary loss and pollution attributed to the congestion.
According to the National Road Safety Report dating to 2010, it was estimated that vehicles during the peak hours use a minimum of one litre of petrol in traffic jam daily.
At the moment, a litre of petrol costs about Shs 6020 for petrol while that of diesel is at around 6,000.
