KCCA traffic flow control master plan taking shape

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Civil works for the traffic flow control master plan in Kampala are set to begin next year, as authorities undertake measures to reduce congestion in the city.

Robert Kyukyu, the Manager for Strategy Management at Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) told Parliament’s Presidential Affairs Committee that the master plan followed a grant agreement worth USD23 million (81.16 billion  Shillings) signed with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in February 2019, towards traffic flow improvement.

The committee learnt that the procurement process for the civil works contractor by JICA is in the final stages and the relocation of utilities at different sites is 90 percent complete. According to Kyukyu, the task involves the removal of roundabouts, improvements to the geometric layouts, junction improvements, signalization of 30 junctions across the city and construction of Kampala traffic control centre at City Hall.

He hopes that the installations will have traffic control systems and provide a platform to improve the capacity and performance of city junctions.

Kyukyu also told MPs that KCCA continues to undertake efforts to improve the city with street lighting infrastructure.

“In the reporting period ended June 2021, KCCA carried out routine and corrective maintenance of all street lights in the city and with support from French Development Agency, completed the preparation of the Kampala Street Lighting master plan and feasibility study. The master plan is aimed at guiding KCCA on the best and most sustainable street lighting model for Kampala,” Kyukyu further reported.

He said that the objective of this is to expand the street lighting coverage of the city from the current 8 per cent to 100 per cent in order to improve security and safety of citizens, as well as visitors at night time.

“Lighting is expected to contribute to the economic development such as increased hours of operation of shops, among others. It is also expected to strengthen the identity of the city and its attractivity for tourism and business,” he explained.

Kyukyu said that this project is at Cabinet-level and expected to be presented to Parliament soon. He appealed to the committee to support this project saying that it will transform the lives of many city dwellers and Ugandans at large.

Meanwhile, David Lagen, the Agago County MP wondered why KCCA does not have other plans for constructing more flyovers to deal with traffic from other metropolitan areas, apart from the construction of flyovers at Kitgum House and Clock Tower.

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