Engineers say sh30b Salaama Road to be completed by December

KAMPALA - The long-awaited Salaama Road in Makindye-Ssabagabo Division is set to be completed by December this year, engineers have confirmed, as President Yoweri Museveni on Tuesday commissioned the 30.3 billion-shilling project.

The road is one of Kampala’s major road developments under the Kampala City Roads Rehabilitation Project (KCRRP).

According to Eng. Henry Namisi, the technical advisor at China Railway 18 Group, the firm executing the project, the 8.1km stretch is now 37.9% complete.

It is the longest among five roads being built simultaneously.

“We are constructing five roads totalling 16km under the same contract at a total cost of sh127 billion. Salaama Road will be fully tarmacked by December," said Namisi.

The President, accompanied by First Lady Janet Kataaha Museveni, hailed the progress as a milestone in the government’s push to expand Kampala’s paved road network to over 900 kilometres.

This was during the President’s site inspection visit on the progress of Salaama Road construction and Kigo Carpentry Village and Skilling Centre, which is located in Kigo Mutungo, Ndejje Parish, Makindye Ssabagabo Municipality.

The skilling centre has 588 members.

“This is part of the infrastructure transformation we have been working on. We are not only tarmacking roads; we are building a foundation for wealth creation and service delivery,” Museveni told residents and local leaders.

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) executive director Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki said Salaama Road will include two-metre-wide pedestrian walkways to improve mobility and safety for residents.

“Kampala’s road network stands at 2,104 kilometres, but only 770 kilometres are paved. This project brings us closer to achieving our target of 44% tarmacked roads citywide,” she said.

Minister for Kampala, Minsa Kabanda, said the improved infrastructure will unlock economic activity and ease transport for local traders and school children.

Museveni rallies support for urban youth

While infrastructure took centre stage, Museveni used the event to spotlight urban poverty and youth unemployment, pledging increased support through the Parish Development Model (PDM) and a dedicated youth fund.

“Young people in towns face unique challenges — rent, food, no land for farming. We must increase PDM support in urban areas and introduce a special fund for youth leaders,” he said.

Museveni also warned against corruption within wealth creation programmes, promising a crackdown on any misappropriation. “If people are stealing, we shall fight them. That money is for fighting poverty, not enriching a few."

At the Kigo Carpentry Village and Skilling Centre, coordinator Ivan Ainebyona appealed for a wood drying kiln and additional equipment.

In response, Museveni pledged 500 million shillings for the centre’s SACCO, funds for raw materials, and directed the State House comptroller to ensure all requested machinery is procured.

He also promised to build the access road and directed government institutions to source furniture from the centre.

“We shall buy from you — State House, government schools, ministries. But formalise your group into a co-operative so we can support you better."

Donations 

Meanwhile, Museveni also made several donations to boost community efforts, including;

▪️ 20 million shillings to St. Ponsiano Ngondwe Catholic Parish Kyamula Salaama Parish

▪️ 10 million shillings to St. Ponsiano Primary School, Kyamula to buy cows

▪️ 12 million shillings each to local LC1 and NRM chairpersons

▪️ 5 million shillings for a community meal and celebration for the Kigo Carpentry Village and Skilling Centre

▪️ 300 million shillings to support a local mosque and 50 million shillings to its treasury.

The First Lady gave 1 million shillings for ice cream to pupils of St Ponsiano Primary School, which has a population of over 1,200 pupils.

In a swipe at opposition leaders representing Kampala, Museveni said he had assumed the role of area MP by directly addressing local issues.

“You elected opposition MPs who don’t care. I don’t even know their names. But now I am here handling your issues — so I am like your MP,” he said, urging voters to elect NRM leaders in 2026 to ease coordination and service delivery.

Wrapping up his day, the President emphasised that Uganda’s development model balances roads and schools with initiatives such as PDM, Emyooga, and Operation Wealth Creation.

“When we budget, we also plan for wealth creation. Infrastructure alone doesn’t build prosperity — wealth does. We must support both,” he said.