The Executive Director Ms. Dorothy Kisaka on Wednesday 26 April 2023 led the Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Hon. Hajat Minsa Kabanda, on a guided tour of sections of roads around the city where there is active works to assess progress on repairs and rehabilitation works. This comes after the release of Shs 6 billion ordered by the President to the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development for the City authority.

 

The tour party visited several roads including Mukwano Road, Press House Road, Nsambya Estate Road, Kabega Road and Lubiri Ring Road.They were pleased to find KCCA units responsible for regularly covering potholes hard at work and local contractors hired to carry out sectional repairs of large sections of the roads were also on site in the different roads.

 

“When roads are bad we all suffer, but I’m very happy that the government is committed to ensuring roads are worked on. The President ordered for the release of funds and works are going on already,” said Kabanda.

 

Kampala has a total road network of 2,100KM, of which only 30% are paved. Most of the paved roads have exceeded their twenty-year lifespan and require an overhaul or reconstruction, leading to the prevalence of potholes and other road damages. KCCA has recorded an area of 8,500 Square meters of potholes, spread across the five divisions. However, with the available funding and commitment from the KCCA, the authorities are optimistic that they can significantly enhance the city's infrastructure.

 

It is essential to note that the African Development Bank-funded Kampala City Roads Rehabilitation Project (KCRRP) has also commenced major rehabilitation works on roads like Kabega, Old Portbell, Spring Road, and Portbell Road. 

 

“The drainage has been completed, and walkways will be constructed on Kabega road in Makindye. The road will also be transformed into two lanes. The rehabilitation work is not only on Kabega Road but in all other roads in the divisions,” said Kisaka.

 

Residents have lauded KCCA's commitment to improving the city's road network, and they welcome the tour by the city leaders. Kisaka noted that despite the big challenge of potholes in the city, she remains optimistic that with the funding received from Government, significant progress will be made. KCCA is committed to using the available resources and working with the people of Kampala to make the city smart.

 

“With the commitment of all stakeholders, Kampala's road network is set to receive the much-needed facelift it deserves,” Kisaka said. KCCA will continue to monitor the work to ensure quality, and the ongoing rehabilitation efforts will bear fruit.