Africa-Press – Uganda. Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has signed a major infrastructure contract worth 1.037 trillion shs aimed at transforming Kampala’s road network over the next four years.
The Kampala City Roads and Bridges Upgrading Project will be implemented in partnership with Colas, and is funded by the United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF).
Speaking at the signing ceremony, KCCA Executive Director, Hajjati Buzeki Sharifa, emphasised the urgent need to improve Kampala’s infrastructure. She revealed that out of the 2,104 kilometers of roads under KCCA management, only 770 kilometers are paved — and just 20% of these are in fair to good condition.
“This means 80% of our roads are either unpaved or in poor condition. That’s why this project is so important. We want to reduce traffic jams, flooding, and road maintenance costs while making it easier for people to access economic and social services,” Buzeki said.
What the Project Includes
The project will upgrade and reconstruct 127.28 kilometers of city roads, including:
Street lighting (solar-powered)
Modern drainage systems
Pedestrian walkways
Bus and cycle lanes
118 roads across all five city divisions which include central , Nakawa, kawempe, Makindye, and Rubaga.
In addition, three modern pedestrian bridges will be built at:
Uganda Management Institute (along Jinja Road)
Kawempe Hospital
Queen’s Way (along Entebbe Road)
The project also includes landscaping, tree planting, and the construction of bus stops and waiting lanes to improve comfort for passengers.
New Technology and Local Capacity Building
Colas will introduce advanced road technologies in Uganda for the first time, such as:
Micro-surfacing technology using modified binders and fiber for stronger roads
Road-based recycling to reuse existing materials and reduce waste
This technology is expected to strengthen the roads to carry up to 303,000 vehicles per day.
Importantly, Buzeki noted that the project will also involve training local contractors and workers, following Uganda’s “Buy Uganda, Build Uganda” policy. “We want to transfer these skills to our people so they can also build modern roads in the future,” she said.
Building on Ongoing Projects
The new project complements other ongoing initiatives like:
Kampala Roads Rehabilitation Project (KCRRP): 87 km funded by the African Development Bank
Greater Kampala Urban Development Program: 81 km of roads under development
Together, these projects form a long-term vision under the KCCA Strategic Plan, the National Development Plan IV, and the Kampala Transport Master Plan.
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