The government has begun reorganizing Kampala’s transportation network by tarmacking city-division-specific highways.
Two weeks ago, KCCA began tarmacking roads in the divisions of Rubaga, Nakawa, and Makindye as part of the Smart City Arrangement initiative.
According to KCCA’s deputy executive director, Eng. David Luyimbazi, the project would be finished in two years. The African Development Bank has invested $288 million (or roughly 1.1 trillion) in the road project.
Residents are ecstatic, but rent prices will increase
Wamala Road is one of the roads being tarmacked in Rubaga Division. The road runs through the communities of Mutundwe, Wakulukuku, Kabowa, Najjanakumbi, and a portion of Makindye Division.
“We are pleased that the government complied with our requests. Only, the road system in our division, Rubaga, was subpar. The government had ignored us, but now I’m glad that our region is going to grow swiftly,” said Umaru Kafeero, the LC’s Kabowa chairman.
According to broker Joseph Mugisha, tarmacking murram roads will raise the cost of rental homes and land.
“Of course, property owners, particularly those with commercial buildings, will raise the rental rates. Even land parcel prices will rise, he continues.
However, the KCCA warns urban residents to cease leaving water bottles lying about in the streets and drainage systems.
Roundabouts are phased out
The Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is providing financing to KCCA so they can phase out roundabouts and build 27 signal crossroads with traffic lights and two lanes for pedestrians.
It will cost $18m (or roughly 67b).
Mulago Mortuary, Rwenzori Courts, Grand Imperial, and Kubiri have completed the project.
When finished, Luyimbazi says, “it will lessen the traffic jam.”
upgrading railroad transportation
The government is also modernizing train travel. This is accomplished by building a railway line with concrete sleepers. Areas of Mukono, Kireka, and Bweyogerere are under construction.
Due to the renovation of the railway transportation, there has been a traffic disturbance along Jinja Road in parts of Kireka for the past two weeks.
The entrance points to Kabaka Road, Kinawataka, and Nakawa regions from Jinja Road are closed to vehicles and cyclists. As a result, there are significant traffic backups on Jinja Road.
