Motorists caught unaware as contractor closes Nsambya Road

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A number of road users within the Nsambya area are unaware of the planned closure of part of the road to pave way for the construction of the Kampala Flyover Project.

The road from the clock tower to Nsambya has been temporarily closed from Saturday June 25, until June 27, as the contractor Shimizu Konoike JV executes works on the project, which includes among others, the installation of box culverts across the road.

Initial media reports quoted the Project Manager Wang Jung saying that the road would be blocked near the Clock Tower. The road is the main access route for motorists to Nsambya, Makindye, Kabalagala, Kansanga, Ggaba, and Bunga, all in Makindye Division.

As a result of the changes, all traffic from the city centre from the affected areas has been diverted to Station Road joining Nsambya through Access Road and Kibuli. However, many of them have opted for the Entebbe Road-Kibuye stretch to access Nsambya and areas around Kabalagala.

But many of those who talked to URN said they were not aware of the developments, and the closure which was likely to slow down traffic and create gridlock. Jude Wasajja, a taxi driver staging at the Nsambya-Ggaba road stage in the old taxi park says they never received any prior communication regarding the road closure.

John Kityo a taxi drivers’ leader at Kansanga Stage calls for better planning and effective communication whenever such changes are to be made.

Patrick Tumukunde, the chairperson of the Poyesa Boda-Boda Stage located within the Good Shed area, says that the alternative from Station Road, Access Road to Kibuli that has been provided is long and inconvenient. According to Tumukunde, passengers should expect increased fares as a result of the distance.

The construction of the Kampala Fly Over Project is funded by the Government of Uganda and Japan and works for phase one, which starts at the clocktower to Mukwano Road are expected to be complete by end of the year 2022. Phase one shall cost 224 billion shillings while Phase two is expected to cost 659 billion Shillings.

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