Govt launches national transport plan

May 19, 2013

A national transport plan including a transport plan for Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA) has been launched.

By Andrew Ssenyonga          

A national transport master plan including a transport master plan for Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA) has been launched.

State Minister for works John Byabagambi noted that the plan constitutes an essential element for the  overall planning for the transport sector in the medium-term to foster economic and social development in Uganda.

"In a nutshell, the plan provides a realistic 15-year (2008-2023) sector investment plan, covering all transport modes including roads, railways, air, inland water transport, urban transport in GKMA and other modes of transport, including pipeline and non-motorized transport," Byabagambi explained.

While launching the plan at Hotel Africana in Kampala, the Minister said this plan reflects the key role that transport plays in facilitating the development of agriculture, tourism, commerce and trade.

"The movement of people for business, social needs and leisure and delivery of health, education and agriculture extension services which are essential in development," he said.

Byabagambi said the master plan addresses the growth in demand for transport, along with a general increase in property in the country.

"It will not be practical or wise to try to carry all of the projected increase in transport demand on our road network.

The costs and environmental impact of doing this would be unsustainable. The plan places greater emphasis on the development of railway and inland water system," he explained.

Byabagambi said the need to connect the rail network to developing Ugandan oilfields will also need to be considered.

The plan aims to spur the tonnage carried by rail to shoot up by 50% over the next ten years.

For railways, the plan envisages investment in Kampala-Malaba new standard gauge railway, re-opening of Kampala- Kasese and Tororo- Pakwach, and a new railway line from Gulu to Nimule and South Sudan.

On air transport, the plan proposes significant investment in Entebbe international Airport, as well as the development of key up-country airports at Gulu, Kasese and Arua, and these will have 3km runways.

For inland water transport, the plan includes the rehabilitation of two Ugandan wagon ferries, of which one (MV Kaawa) has already been done. In addition, the replacement of MV Kabalega is proposed along with improvement of ports and landing sites.

The national transport master plan takes into account the role Non-Motorized Transport (NMT) (walking and cycling) plays in transportation.

A non- motorized transport policy to take this important issue has already been put in place.

The intention of the policy is to raise the profile of NMT within transport planning and programming in general and to provide guidelines for the inclusion of NMT needs within transport project.

"Walking and bicycling are healthy, sustainable economical and non-polluting means of transport. The citizens of Uganda have a right to walk and cycle in safety in their pursuit of work and family tasks and in accessing social and economic activities and services," the minister said.

 

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