KCCA earmarks UGX9 billion to deal with potholes in Kampala

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Kampala Capital City Authority-KCCA has set aside Shillings 9 billion to patch potholes on different city roads. The money comes from the Authority Budget for 2020/2021 for infrastructure works in Kampala, which includes road construction. 

The Minister for Kampala Betty Amongi told journalists at the Uganda Media Center Wednesday morning that they had sought permission from the Ministry of Finance to have all the money meant for infrastructural works in the fourth quarter from April to June 2021 dedicated to emergency road repairs at key points and sections over the next two weeks.

Amongi says they have lined up 38 roads, eight in Lubaga Division, five in Nakawa, eight in Makindye, eight in Kawempe and nine roads in Central Division to be worked on. Amongi says the move is intended to provide emergency relief following a public outcry on potholes on city roads, which affects traffic flow and safety of road users. 

Although KCCA plans to patch potholes, the method has been criticized as potholes re-emerge shortly after the repair works. Experts and KCCA itself has pointed to the fact that the roads are too old and need reconstruction. But Amongi says they can only do much right now as they seek more permanent solutions.

She says the president has directed KCCA to prepare a comprehensive plan for revamping the city infrastructure through a long term financing model. Amongi says they are working on a cabinet memo to be presented before Cabinet for adoption.

Currently, Kampala has a road network of 2,100km of which only 642 is paved. Amongi says the plan shall look at the KCCA Infrastructure plan and State of roads so as to come up with a clear long term funding plan.   

Amongi says the Shillings 9 billion shall also be used on drainage system works, which shall include construction of box culverts at areas prone to flooding. The Authority receives Shillings 26 billion from the road fund for road maintenance. 

Much of its budget for infrastructural development is donor funded with ongoing major road works implemented under the Kampala Institutional Infrastructure Development Project KIIDP 2. The Authority also plans to construct 68kilometer of roads with financing from the African Development Bank-ADB. 

LIST OF ROAD FOR POTHOLE FIXING 

LUBAGA DIVISION 

1.     Masaka Road 

2.     Bulange Way 

3.     Lubaga Road 

4.     Zaake Road 

5.     Ham Mukasa Road 

6.     Balintuma 

7.     Wakaliga 

8.     Hoima 

NAKAWA

9. Katalima road

10. New portbell 

11.  Nagulu 

12. Kigobe

13.   Kinawataka 

MAKINDYE 

14.   Katwe 

15.  Nsambya 

16. Tank hill

17.  Nsambya estate 

18. Ggaba 

19. Ochola close 

20. Usafi 

21.   Namasore 

KAWEMPE DIVISION 

22.  Division Road

23.  Nabweru 

24. Kyebando Ring Road 

25.  Sir Apollo Kaggwa 2 

26.    Dwaliro 

27.  Nkinzi 

28.  Bombo and 

29.  Alice Kagga Road CENTRAL DIVISION 

30.   Martin Road 

31.   Old Kampla Ring 

32.     Gadhafi 

33.   Boundary Close 

34.    Kasozi 

35.    Kampala 

36.    Bombo Road

37. Sir Apollo From Bakery Road To Makerere Hill Road and, 

38.   Sepirian Road 

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