Government has started on a programme to decongest Kampala city and the metropolitan area by constructing more 10 expressways to ease traffic flow.
The project is part of the bigger traffic control plan that government is working on with the Japanese Development Agency (JICA) to signalise at least 30 city junctions to ease traffic.
The head of transport planning and traffic management at Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Mr Joel Wasswa, told Daily Monitor that the Japanese government offered funding and construction of a traffic control centre.
According to the plan, 10 expressways will be constructed in the next five years, in addition to upgrading some of the existing city roads to dual carriage ways and widening others.
Kampala-Jinja Expressway is at procurement stage, meaning government is searching for a contractor. This follows the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway, which is complete and currently in use.
For Kampala-Mpigi Expressway, the contract was awarded to a consortium of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and China Railway 19th Bureau Group Company Limited.
A number of works for other expressways are either under procurement or funds are being sought to start the projects, while others are undergoing designing.
Mr Mark Ssali, the corporate affairs manager at the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), said all is set for the big infrastructure development.
He said construction of the expressways will decongest the city and make it more accessible at cheaper and more efficient rates. “The expressways will reduce congestion and jams and therefore reduce travel time and cost. They will also stimulate trade, agricultural and industrial development, boost tourism and foster regional integration,” Mr Ssali said.
He said government has already signed contracts with some construction companies but other projects are still under procurement or design.
Others are Kibuye-Busega Expressway, Busega-Mpigi Expressway, Kampala-Bombo Expressway; Kampala Outer Beltway (Ggaba-Seeta-Matugga-Wakiso-Nsangi), Kampala Flyover Construction and Road Upgrading Project.
Also in consideration are Nakasero-Northern Bypass Express Route, Kampala-Nansana-Busunju Expressway and Kampala-Bujuuko Dual Carriage.
Expressways and progress of works
Different view. Kampala-Entebbe Expressway/Munyonyo (51km). The highway starts at Entebbe International Airport and continues to Mpala, through Akright City, Kajjansi and Kabojja ending at Busega where it joins the Kampala Northern Bypass. A spur branches off the expressway at Kajjansi to connect to Munyonyo suburb on the northern shores of Lake Victoria, about 14km from Kampala. (complete)
Kampala-Jinja Expressway (95km).
The road will comprise the Kampala-Jinja mainline (77km) and Kampala Southern Bypass (18km). The Kampala-Jinja section will start at Shoprite in Lugogo, going through Kyambogo where it will turn to Kinawataka and Kasokoso in Kira Municipality, Namanve and Mukono, passing through Lugazi and ending at the new Jinja Bridge in Njeru, Buikwe District where it joins the Jinja highway. (under procurement)
Kampala-Mpigi Expressway (37km). Comprises two sections. First section (10km) starts at Kibuye and ends at Busega (under appraisal). Second section (27km) continues from Busega through Kyengera, Nabbingo and Nsangi and ends at Mpigi where it joins Masaka-Mbarara highway. (contract awarded).
Kampala-Bombo Expressway (50km). The road starts at Wandegeya and continues north through Bwaise, Kawempe, and Matugga to end at Bombo where it joins Gulu highway in Luweero District. (at design level)
Kampala Outer Beltway (64km).The road will start from around Seeta in Mukono Town on Kampala–Jinja Expressway highway and run north to Bukerere in Mukono, turn west through Namugongo, Kira, Kasangati, Matugga, Wakiso, Buloba to Nsangi to join the Kampala–Mpigi Expressway that connects to the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway which continues through Kajjansi to Munyonyo. Traffic will then connect back to the Kampala-Jinja Expressway via Kampala Southern Bypass highway.
Kampala Flyover Project. The project is intended to reduce traffic congestion and facilitate urban transportation in the city. It will widen existing roads and junctions, walkways and drainage systems. The project will also include construction of bridges, signalization of roundabouts, and underpass construction; flyover connecting Hotel Africana junction to Kitgum House junction; flyover from Kitgum House junction to Mukwano Road and flyover linking Nsambya to Clock Tower. (contract signed and contractor on site)
Nakasero-Northern Bypass Express Route (VIP Route) starts from Nakasero State House, connects through Fairway junction to Mulago and Kalerwe to join the Northern Bypass at Bwaise, 5km from city centre. (design complete, awaits funding).
Capacity Improvement of Kampala Northern Bypass 17.5km. The road stretches from Namboole, (11km) and winds through the suburbs of Naalya, Kiwatule, Kulambiro, Kigoowa, Bukoto, Mulago, Makerere, Bwaise, Kawaala, and Namungoona, ending at Busega on Masaka highway. (under construction).
Kampala-Nansana-Busunju Expressway (56km). Starts at Namungoona roundabout on Kampala Northern Bypass and proceeds through Nansana and Kakiri in Wakiso District ending at Busunju in Mityana District where it joins Mubende highway. (procurement for design ongoing).
Kampala-Bujuuko Dual Carriage (procurement for design ongoing)
Signalisation of 31 junctions and linking them to modern Traffic Control Centre to regulate traffic (works are ongoing).
