By: Ismael Kasooha
KAMPALA
All contractors carrying out constructions of roads within and in the outskirts of business district of Kampala have been given six months to have completed the works.
“We want these roads complete by June next year because Ugandans must enjoy their country. I’m tired of delays in road works over miner issues,” said Robinah Nabbanja, the Prime Minister of Uganda.
A team of ministers led by the Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja crosschecking the designs on paper on the progress of works
Nabbanja made the remarks after inspecting several roads in Kampala that are undergoing construction but the public is complaining of delays in works which is affecting business.
Some of the roads inspected include Kyebando Ring road, Sir Apollo Kaggwa, Kasubi-Luggala, Lubaga, Zanna, the flyover at Katwe-Kibuye, Port bell and 8th, 7th,6th streets in the industrial area and over 27 junctions being worked on to improve traffic flow in Kampala.
Nabbanja said that the NRM government made an agreement with the people of Uganda and there is remarkable progress in the implementation of the 2021-2026 manifesto.
“We have so far completed 35% of all the pledges we made while 49% is work in progress and is expected to be complete by June next year. This shows how committed we are as government because having 84% completion of promises is a distinction,” said Nabbanja.
The Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja with other ministers inspecting roads in Kampala
The contractors executing the constructions include China Railway 18, China communications construction company (CCCC) among others.
The Premier was making a follow-up on the progress of addressing challenges identified during her previous inspection in the month of May 2024.
Major challenges included right-of-way acquisition and delayed service line relocations as major bottlenecks.
Nabbanja called on key utility providers, including Umeme, NITA-U, National Water and Sewerage Corporation, and the Police to enhance their coordination and speed up the shifting of service lines to prevent further delays.
She called on contractors to set up mechanisms to improve on the current pace of progress.
“We want you to prioritize Kampala roads by mobilizing more resources so that our roads in Kampala are worked on as soon as possible,” said Nabbanja.
After the inspection, Nabbanja chaired an inter-ministerial meeting and agreed on major interventions to ensure speedy and quality works.
Nabbanja said that there is no room for any excuses by the contractors and all government ministries, agencies and departments.
Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, the Minister for Works and Transport said that there is hope that works will be expedited now that all the concerned agencies are now at per.
Katumba assured some of the people affected by the roads constructions that they will be compensated to allow works proceed as planned.
Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi the Minister for Security who also participated in the road inspection was tasked to ensure that some of the people with issues are addressed especially the right of way.
The government has announced plans to close off some roads under construction in Kampala to expedite work and meet a completion deadline.
This decision followed an inspection by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja and a team of Ministers who noted that the progress of projects by the China Railway Company 18 has been hampered by heavy traffic on busy roads.
The construction of roads, including the Ring Road in Kyebando Sir Apollo Road, Mutesa 1 Road, Sentema Road, Zanna and roads around the industrial area spans a total of 90 kilometers and has an investment of sh149 billion.
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