Kampala, the capital city of Uganda, has been grappling with the issue of dilapidated roads for years. The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) made a commitment to the public that it would kickstart the construction of approximately 69.70 kilometers of city roads between February and September 2023. However, this promise has yet to materialize, leaving both the public and political leaders frustrated and disillusioned.
In December 2022, the deplorable state of the city’s roads garnered widespread attention, with digital media flooded by pothole alerts and exhibitions. This public outcry prompted KCCA to respond with an ambitious pledge – a commitment that promised to turn Kampala into a construction site, with roadworks slated to commence in February and September of the following year.
Fast forward nine months, and the expected sounds of construction machinery and visible signs of roadwork are conspicuously absent from most of the city’s thoroughfares. The road construction sites have not even been established for a significant number of the promised roads, leaving political leaders under immense pressure, burdened by the dissatisfaction of their constituents.
Central Division Mayor Salim Uhuru, who belongs to the NRM party, reveals the extent of the public’s frustration with the road situation. “I am the only elected NRM leader in Kampala, people attack me, saying you lied to us,” he laments. The sentiment is echoed by Member of Parliament for Nakawa East, Ronald Balimwezo, who states that even opposition supporters are equally dissatisfied, placing pressure on the political representatives. He says, “I feel the pressure. People think it’s up to us to fix these roads.”
The 69.70 kilometers of roads that KCCA promised to commence by February and September include critical arteries such as Wamalla Road in Lubaga, Luwafu Road in Lubaga, Sir Apollo Kagwa in Central Division, Queens Way in Central Division, Kyebando Ring Road in Kawempe, Kisasi Road in Kawempe, Ssuna 2 Road in Makindye, Kayemba Road in Makindye, among others. These roads hold immense importance for the city and its residents.
The delays in road construction are attributed to contractors who may have taken on more projects than they can effectively handle. Some speculate that middlemen seeking larger profits exacerbate the problem further. “Some contractors are delaying because they have signed up for many roads above their capacity,” remarks Mayor Uhuru.
In Central Division, construction has only commenced on Sir Apollo Kagwa Road, leaving several other streets untouched. This pattern repeats in other divisions, where construction remains a distant promise despite KCCA’s commitment.
The consequences of these unmet promises and road delays are far-reaching. Businesses have been hampered, and motorists are burdened with substantial repair costs for their vehicles due to the poor road conditions. Valuable productive time is lost in garages, causing significant economic setbacks.
In response to the slow progress, President Museveni directed the UPDF to assist with pothole filling and sectional repairs. However, this intervention stirred mixed reactions from the public.
Meanwhile, officials on the committee responsible for city roads and infrastructure are contemplating taking action against contractors who have failed to fulfill their commitments. The situation remains a glaring issue for Kampala, with its citizens eagerly awaiting the day when their city’s roads will finally see the improvements they were promised.
