KCCA: New traffic signals to reduce congestion in the city

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and Traffic Police are optimistic that the new traffic signals replacing city roundabouts under construction will significantly reduce heavy traffic congestion in the city center.

Daniel Nuwabine, KCCA Spokesperson, told Uganda Radio Network that the ongoing infrastructure upgrade, which involves replacing five major roundabouts with traffic signals, will greatly alleviate traffic congestion and enhance mobility.

The five roundabouts being replaced include Rwenzori Courts, Grand Imperial, Mulago, Mulago Mortuary, and Kubiri. According to Nuwabine, traffic signals will also be installed at 27 road junctions within Kampala.

“Traffic congestion is a serious problem. Whenever it rains, navigating Kampala’s roads becomes a nightmare, but we will significantly improve our city’s traffic flow after the completion of this project, which will cost around $18 million. The good thing is that these funds are from the Japanese government, with whom we partnered,” Nuwabine stated.

A senior Traffic Police Officer from the Kira-Road Division, who requested anonymity, mentioned that the Traffic Control Center constructed at City Hall as part of the project, once connected to the new traffic signals, will not only help reduce traffic congestion but also enable the Uganda Police to move away from rudimentary methods of controlling traffic.

He further explained that this development is a significant effort to integrate ICT into Uganda’s traffic management, similar to practices in other countries. By leveraging technology, the authorities aim to create a safer, more efficient, and more organized transportation system.

“Controlling traffic in harsh weather conditions will soon be a thing of the past,” says the traffic officer. “With the new control room, our work will become more systematic and efficient. Moving towards a digital form of traffic control, like other countries that have already made this shift, is the way to go,” he added.

Nuwabine confirmed that the traffic control facility will be fully operational before the end of the year, with 20 traffic signals connected to the system, as the entire project is expected to be completed by April next year.

Observations by this reporter revealed that several trees within Kampala’s city center have been cleared to make way for the ongoing signalization project. Notably, trees at Esso Corner Junction near Victoria University along Jinja Road and near Speke Road have been cut down to facilitate site preparation.

Kampala’s traffic congestion crisis is staggering, with commuters losing approximately 24,000 man-hours daily, according to a UN-HABITAT report from 2022. This translates to around 52 days per year spent idling in traffic jams.

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