Govt signs sh70b Makindye-Sabagabo road construction deal

By John Masaba

WAKISO - Residents of Makindye Sabagabo in Wakiso finally have something to smile about after the Government and contractors put pen to paper, kicking in motion the long-awaited  sh70b works there.

The development will see a total of nine roads constructed, greatly improving connectivity and mobility in the Kampala and Wakiso districts.

The roads are being constructed under the World Bank-funded Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Urban Development Programme (GMKA-UDP) at a cost of sh70b.

China First Highway Engineering and Jilk Construction Limited signed the deal in an event held in Wakiso on Friday.

Contractors will undertake to construct a total of 10.1km of road in Makindye Sabagabo municipality. (Credit: John Masaba)

Addressing journalists at the Makindye Sabagabo headquarters on Friday, Kampala state minister Kabuye Kyofatogabye explained that China First Highway Engineering will be in charge of Lot 1 roads, consisting of Lubuguma-Busabala Link 1 road totalling 2.30km, Lubugumu Link 2 road (1.20km) and Lubugumu Busabala Link 3 road ( 0.50km) as well as Lubugumu-Kakora road (1.06km).

On the other hand, Jilk Construction Limited will work on Lot 2 roads,  comprising Kibutika Road (2.90km), Kibutika / Municipal Road (1km),  Para (0.6km) and Nakayenga Road (0.60km).

Lot 1 will cost a total of sh34.9b with Lot 2 costing sh32.9 b.

According to the project, the area will see a total of 10.15km network targeting the municipality in the next 18 months. 

Kyofatogabye cautioned the contractors against unnecessary delays and shoddy execution of the project, saying the government would not hesitate to slap penalties on perpetrators.

Monica Edemachu Ejua, Undersecretary, Ministry of Kampala under the Office of the President, said poor project performance could result in the financier (World Bank) withdrawing the fund to reroute it to other needy projects.

Officials of Jilk Construction Limited after signing the sh32. 9b contract. This was during an event held at the Makindye Sabagabo headquarters on Friday. (Credit: John Masaba)

About GMKA-UDP

The GMKA-UDP seeks to implement the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Local Economic Development Strategy, which was endorsed by the Cabinet in March 2020.

Francaise de Development (AFD)

The GMKA-UDP, valued at $566 million (sh2.1 trillion), includes a mix of loans and grants, with $518 million allocated as a loan and $48 million as a grant. The programme will further be facilitated by a loan worth $42.66 million (Shs156.4 billion) from Agence Francaise de Development (AFD).

GKMA (Mukono, Kampala, Wakiso and Mpigi districts) contributes about 70 per cent of the country’s GDP but has been grappling with a myriad of challenges of infrastructure, spawning rising traffic jams and flooding, which have triggered dissatisfaction from the public over the last few years.