JAPANESE ENVOY VISITS KAMPALA TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTRE

The Japanese Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Takuya Sasayama, on Tuesday visited the Kampala Traffic Control Centre at City Hall, praising the growing cooperation between Uganda and Japan that has made such modern urban traffic solutions possible.

Ambassador Sasayama was received by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director, Sharifah Buzeki, and her deputy, Benon Kigenyi. The facility is part of The Project for the Improvement of Traffic Control in Kampala, supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Speaking during the visit, Ambassador Sasayama described the centre as “a wonderful traffic system that will enable the city to address traffic congestion and improve road safety.” He applauded the warm bilateral relationship between the two countries, noting that Japan remains committed to supporting Uganda’s urban infrastructure development.

Deputy Executive Director Kigenyi expressed KCCA’s gratitude to JICA for making the project a reality. “These are systems and infrastructure of a magnitude we might not have been able to acquire so easily in the near future just like the Kampala Flyover,” he said.

The state-of-the-art facility will operate using Japan’s advanced MODERATO traffic control system, which currently can manage up to 256 traffic signals, with plans to double that number in the coming years.

Kampala currently has 59 fully signalised junctions across the city, at the traffic control center significantly reducing delays and improving pedestrian safety.

According to Kigenyi, the system will allow KCCA to monitor traffic flow in real time, coordinate signal timings, and work with the Uganda Police to implement measures that will ease congestion.

“With this technology, we shall reduce unnecessary human control at junctions sparing our officers from working long hours in rain and scorching sun,” he added.

Officials cautioned the public against vandalism of road infrastructure, stressing that such acts undermine efforts to modernise the city’s transport network.

Ambassador Sasayama’s visit comes as the traffic control centre nears completion, marking another milestone in Kampala’s journey towards a smarter, more efficient transport system and underscoring the strong development partnership between Japan and Uganda.

By Geofrey Mutegeki Araali

Communication and Media Relations Officer