Motorists using the Port Bell-Nakawa road in Kampala have been advised to find alternative routes as the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) closed the Nakawa bridge near Makerere University Business School (MUBS) on Saturday, October 5, 2024. The closure is scheduled to last from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to facilitate ongoing roadworks in the area.
KCCA announced that the planned works involve moving T-Beams around the bridge, which necessitates the complete closure of this section for the duration of the day. In a brief statement, KCCA apologized for the disruption and urged road users intending to access the area to consider alternative routes. “We apologize for the inconvenience this may cause,” the statement read.
These roadworks are part of a broader city-wide renovation project funded by the African Development Bank. The project, launched last year, is focused on upgrading key roads in Kampala, particularly under Lot 2 and Lot 3 of the development plan. The initial phase of the project covers 28 kilometers of roads, which are set to be expanded as part of the government’s larger plan to improve infrastructure across all divisions of Kampala.
Lot 2 comprises 10.1 kilometers of roads, including Old Port Bell Road, Spring Road, and New Port Bell Road. Lot 3, covering 18 kilometers, includes Sixth Street, Seventh Street, Eighth Street, Sir Apolo Kagwa Road, Muziito Road, Suuna 1 and 2 roads, and Ggaba Road. The renovations include widening the roads and adding drainage systems, as well as constructing a total of 120 kilometers of walkways to improve pedestrian access and safety.
The contract for Lot 2 roads was awarded to Zhejiang Communication Construction Co Ltd (ZCCC), while Lot 3 roads were assigned to China Railways 18 Group. The total cost of constructing these roads is estimated at UGX 151 billion. During the project’s launch in December last year, former KCCA Executive Director Dorothy Kisaka emphasized the importance of these upgrades in addressing the city’s infrastructural needs and enhancing mobility for both motorists and pedestrians.
As part of the larger city infrastructure plan, the government aims to ease traffic congestion and provide safer, more accessible roads across all divisions of Kampala. The Port Bell-Nakawa roadworks are just one of the numerous improvements underway to modernize the city’s transport network.
| Road Works Project | Details |
|---|---|
| Nakawa Bridge Closure | Scheduled for October 5, 2024, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for T-Beam movements |
| Lot 2 Roads | 10.1 km including Old Port Bell Road, Spring Road, New Port Bell Road |
| Lot 3 Roads | 18 km including Sixth, Seventh, Eighth Streets, Sir Apolo Kagwa, Muziito, Suuna 1 & 2, Ggaba Roads |
| Contractors | Lot 2: Zhejiang Communication Construction Co Ltd (ZCCC); Lot 3: China Railways 18 Group |
| Total Cost | UGX 151 billion |
| Pedestrian Walkways | 120 km of walkways and drainage systems being added city-wide |
Motorists and pedestrians have been encouraged to plan their routes accordingly to minimize disruptions caused by the road closures and ongoing works. The upgrades to Nakawa Bridge and other roads in the city are expected to enhance trade, accessibility, and reduce congestion as Kampala continues to expand and modernize its infrastructure.
