Northern Bypass nears completion as contractors race to Meet deadline
According to engineers, years of heavy traffic and the swampy terrain between Bwaise and Namungoona weakened sections of the road, necessitating extensive reconstruction works, including removal of damaged asphalt and stabilisation of the road base.
Pictures of Asphalt laying on the bypass taken this week. (Courtesy Photo)
KAMPALA - Rehabilitation works on the Namungoona–Bwaise section of the Kampala Northern Bypass are nearing completion, with the contractor, Stirling Civil Engineering Limited, working around the clock to meet a seven-day ultimatum issued by the Minister of State for Works and Transport, Fred Byamukama.
The bypass has in recent weeks been a scene of intense activity, with engineers and heavy machinery deployed day and night to complete the remaining works on one of Uganda's busiest transport corridors.
The Sh67 billion project includes rehabilitation of the Northern Bypass, maintenance of the 8km Kireka–Namugongo Road, installation of road lights and other associated works.
The Northern Bypass forms part of the regional Northern Corridor and carries heavy cargo traffic connecting Uganda to Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The rehabilitation works have, however, been undertaken amid rising costs of construction inputs, particularly bitumen and fuel.
Vincent Ntambi, a private dealer in petroleum products, said instability in the Middle East had contributed to price increases in petroleum products used in road construction.
"The prevailing unrest in the Middle East has caused a rise in petroleum products such as bitumen and fuel used for road works," he said.
Prudence Namukasa, who operates a regional cargo transport company, said the improved sections have reduced vehicle maintenance costs and eased movement along the road.
Commuter Ismail Senkuba said motorists are beginning to enjoy smoother travel compared to the period when the road was characterised by potholes and traffic disruptions.
As works draw to a close, infrastructure experts have urged government to prioritise routine maintenance of such roads.
They argue that interventions such as maintaining drainage systems and repairing minor surface cracks at an early stage are less costly than major reconstruction works after roads deteriorate.
The completion of the Namungoona–Bwaise section is expected to improve traffic flow and ease movement of goods and passengers along one of Kampala's most critical transport routes.