How Kampala road works are shaping, shattering lives

KAMPALA - While the development of road infrastructure is often seen as a sign of progress, the reality for many Kampala residents is far from smooth.

Construction projects have left communities grappling with flooding, dangerous road conditions, and disrupted livelihoods.

John Ssekandi, chairman of Kigaga Zone, painted a grim picture of the situation on Wamala Road in Kitebi, Rubaga division.

These concerns were raised by affected communities during a three-day Baraza community engagement from March 12 to 14, 2025, by the Construction Sector Transparency Initiative (COST) held in Makindye, Rubaga, and Nakawa divisions.

The campaign is aimed to promote responsible infrastructure development and address grievances linked to roadworks.

Poor drainage and road designs

Ediirisa Bugembe, a resident of Kitebi in Rubaga division, expressed frustration over the poor design of a sewage canal in his area.

He pointed out that the canal was made too narrow, failing to accommodate the expected volume of water.

Worse still, a neighbour who had built a private road to his house completely blocked the water’s flow, leading to severe flooding in surrounding homes.

Despite raising the issue with authorities and requesting that the road be demolished to allow proper drainage, Bugembe lamented that no action had been taken for three months.

"The rainy season is back, and the water keeps flowing into people's homes. Without a piece of wood to create a bridge, one can't get into his or her own home" he said, questioning when the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) would step in to address the issue.

Mberaze Mawula Zacchy Rubaga Division Mayor addressing the people of Rubaga division about road infrastructures during responsible infrastructure investment campaign at St Luke Church of Uganda in Kitebi on March 14, 2025. (Credit: Mary Kansiime)

In Kitebi, Kabaawo, Rose Nakalema highlighted the dangers pedestrians face daily. She noted that crashes have become frequent along the roads near Wankulukuku Stadium, often resulting in fatalities.

"Two days can’t pass in Kitebi without someone dying. We need authorities to install more speed bumps otherwise we are losing our colleagues every other week to reckless drivers," she stated.

She also pointed out the lack of enforcement at zebra crossings, where drivers routinely ignore pedestrian rights.

"There are no cameras to hold drivers accountable," she said, emphasizing the need for better road safety measures.

Abdu Dumba, another resident, echoed similar concerns about poor drainage systems.

He observed that water from multiple zones, including Kisigula and Mutundwe, is being redirected into an already narrow sewage channel, leading to frequent overflows.

Additionally, he blamed the construction of a weak bridge that fails to properly divert water.

"Sewage channels are open and wide, but walkways are too narrow, making it easy for someone to fall in," Dumba explained adding, "When it rains, people get swept away, and sometimes their bodies are found far from where they fell in."

Dumba also criticized the substandard roads leading to people's homes.

"They just poured some material on the ground, and I don’t even know what it is," he said.

According to Dumba, If one does not have wooden planks to place over the road, one might not be able to access their house.

"What was meant to be a source of progress and development, has instead brought hardship to many," Dumba lamented.

The aftermath of roadworks

Misach Kityamwesi, a resident of Kitebi and the area’s head of security, spoke about the destruction of road signs along Kabusu-Bunamwaya-Lweza Road because of the narrow access roads.

He said after the road was completed, access signs were installed, but they were soon knocked down by large trucks.

"Almost all the signposts have been damaged. Some are now stored at our office in Kitebi," he revealed.

Efforts to investigate the cause have been difficult, as most of the damage occurs at night, with no security cameras in place to capture the culprits.

"We don’t know how to replace them," he admitted, underscoring the lack of accountability.

People of Rubaga division discuss about Rubaga division road infrastructure during the responsible infrastructure investment campaign at St Luke Church of Uganda in Kitebi on March 14, 2025. (Credit: Mary Kansiime)

What leaders say

Rubaga mayor Zacchy Mberaze Mawula acknowledged that road projects often proceed without adequate community engagement.

He commended COST for organising discussions that educate people on the quality and impact of roadworks.

"We need drainage experts at these meetings because the issue of drainage is critical and directly affects us," he said.

He also pointed out inconsistencies in how sewage canals and bridges are constructed, which often do not align with road sizes.

Moving forward, he emphasized the need for consultants and technical teams to address these issues.

"We must help those who use these roads for business and daily transport," he said, adding that a meeting with contractors on Wamala Road was being arranged.

Despite the challenges, Mawula noted some positive outcomes, saying that since the reconstruction of the Kabusu-Bunamwaya-Lweza Road, the area has seen an increase in buildings and overall property value.

For Geoffrey Odongo, manager at COST Uganda, he stressed the need for better planning and resource allocation in road construction.

He acknowledged that the government may not have funds to repair the same roads every year, but he urged authorities to ensure that initial construction is done to last.

"Government resources should be used efficiently to ensure that roads remain durable," Odongo said.

He also called for responsible road use, pointing out that garbage dumping in drainage systems leads to flooding and infrastructure damage.

"If we allow water to flood the road, chemical weathering will reduce its lifespan, forcing the government to spend even more on repairs," he explained.

The cost of land and road construction

Makindye Division Deputy Mayor Joseph Baale revealed the difficulties local leaders face when acquiring land for road expansion.

"People assume we the leaders have eaten the money meant for compensation," he said.
Yet in reality, he explained, the government often lacks the funds to compensate residents whose property lies in the path of road projects.

"Convincing people to give up even a small portion of land for road construction is a struggle," Baale admitted. He cited Salama Road as an example, where it took two years to persuade residents to allow work to proceed.

In response, Hope Kihembi, KCCA's marketing and public relations specialist urged the public to always be welcoming of road projects in their areas by accepting to give out small chunks of land to support construction.

"Government will not always buy land or compensate residents. It already has financial burdens of contractors and other things. This is why we have not put up public toilets in many areas because people are still rigid," Kihembi explained.

As Kampala continues to expand, the voices of those affected by roadworks highlight the need for a more responsible approach to urban development.

While the promise of better roads brings hope, unresolved issues, ranging from deadly drainage systems to ignored safety measures continue to disrupt daily life.

Residents and local leaders alike are calling for improved road planning, transparency, and engagement to ensure that infrastructure development benefits all, rather than creating new hardships.