In response to a public outcry about the poor state of Kampala’s roads, the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) received over Shs 11 billion last April to address the city’s pothole crisis.

The funding, which followed a social media campaign highlighting the dire condition of Kampala’s roads, was directed by President Museveni, who instructed the Ministry of Finance to release Shs 6 billion for immediate pothole repairs. An additional Shs 5.5 billion was sourced from the Uganda Road Fund.

Justus Akankwasa, the Director of Engineering and Technical Services at KCCA, provided insights into the utilization of these funds and the ongoing road construction efforts in Kampala. He emphasized that many roads in the city have exceeded their designed lifespan and require comprehensive reconstruction rather than simple pothole patching.

“Roads have to be rehabilitated after 10 to 20 years, but the roads we are talking about were constructed during colonial times,” Akankwasa explained. “You patch a very old road, and what you have patched is stronger than what is around it; clearly, a pothole will develop somewhere else.”

This statement underscores the ageing infrastructure problem in Kampala, where temporary fixes are inadequate for roads that have outlived their intended durability. Of Kampala’s total 2,100 km road network, only 646 km (30%) are paved, many of which are in dire need of reconstruction.

The Shs 11 billion allocated for pothole repairs was distributed among Kampala’s five divisions. Specifically, Shs 2 billion was assigned to UPDF engineers for patching roads in the city centre, with the remaining funds given to KCCA division engineers to address roads in other divisions.

More Funds Needed

Akankwasa stressed the necessity for increased government funding for road maintenance to extend their durability. “The government should allocate more money to the Uganda Road Fund to maintain roads early. When you start maintaining early, you’re easily prolonging their life,” he noted.

Regarding current projects, Akankwasa highlighted several ongoing initiatives aimed at improving Kampala’s road network, funded through various sources, including the government’s regular budget, the Uganda Road Fund, and a grant from the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

KCCA received a Shs 67 billion grant from JICA to phase out roundabouts and signalize about 27 junctions to enhance traffic flow. “All the signalized junctions will be linked to the KCCA headquarters, and traffic will be managed automatically, especially during peak hours, to avoid congestion,” Akankwasa said.

Completed junctions include Nakawa Spear Motors junction, Katalema road junction, New Vision junction, All Saints junction, Kubili, and Mulago roundabouts, with more projects underway.

Additionally, KCCA has benefited from African Development Bank funding for various road construction projects. Under Lot 1, roads such as Wamala Road, Luwafu, Kabega, Mutesa 1, Kigara, Old Mwende Road, and Kiyemba Road have been completed. Lot 2 projects, including Port Bell Road and Spring Road, are ongoing. Lot 3 covers 8th Street, 7th Street, 6th Street, 5th Muzito, and Suna Road. Lot 4, started in December, includes Queen’s Way, Kasubi Northern Bypass, Salama Road, Kyebando Ring Road, and Kisaasi Road. Lot 5 includes Mugema, Masiro, and Sentema roads. KCCA plans to embark on more projects this financial year with additional funds from the World Bank.

Preference for Chinese Firms in Road Construction

Akankwasa addressed concerns about the government’s preference for foreign companies, particularly from China, over local firms for road construction projects.

He explained that according to the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets (PPDA) regulations, contracts exceeding $4.5 million require international bidding, which includes both local and international firms. However, local companies often struggle to compete due to higher bank interest rates and lower financing costs available to foreign companies.

“The cost of financing is different. For example, when a local company borrows money from a Ugandan commercial bank, they will be charged an interest rate of 19%, whereas a Chinese company is charged 3% by a bank in China,” Akankwasa explained. This financial disparity often results in foreign companies offering lower prices, making it difficult for local firms to compete.

As KCCA continues to address the city’s infrastructure challenges, the call for more comprehensive funding and strategic planning remains crucial to ensure long-term road quality and safety for Kampala’s residents.