UNRA to demolish structures in road reserves

The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) will September embark on demolition of all structures built along the road reserves on major highways.

On August 12, the  Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) and the Uganda Police Force conducted a joint operation to ensure city road reserves and green spaces are clear of  encroachers and illegal activities. 

According to a statement issued dated August 23, signed by UNRA’s executive director Allen Kagina addressed to Parliament Committee on Physical Infrastructure, the operation will commence on September 1.

The exercise comes after a sustained period of engagements with the affected persons in order to encourage voluntary compliance by encroachers operating from the road reserves.

The statement also copied to the minister of works and transport Gen. Katumba Wamala highlights the affected national roads.

They include Kampala Metropolitan area, Kampala-Jinja Busia-Malaba, Kampala –Masaka-Kabale, Kampala-Hoima, roads, Mbarara-Ishaka-Katunguru –Kasese   Kampala-Mubende-Fort Portal, Kampala Bombo-Gulu Arua roads among others.

UNRA argues that people operating businesses in road reserves, shoulders and road junctions should vacate or be forced out.

In an interview with the New Vison Gen. Wamala said the road reserve depends on the class of the roads and this will  be announced by the minister of works and transport from time to time, but the proposed minimum length of a road reserve from the center of the national ways is 40meters.

“Apparently the minimum length from the center of the national road is 15 meters wide,” he said

 “I warn anybody who has built structures within the road reserves on national roads is in trouble, they must  remove them from the road reserves, because UNRA has to implement the law, haven’t you seen the demolished structures along Entebbe Road,” asked Wamala.

David Karubanga (Kigorobya County Hoima district), the chairperson  Parliament Committee on Physical Infrastructure that oversees the road sector in Uganda said he supported the move,

 “I   support the joint operations  by UNRA and Ministry of Works and Transport, to demolish structures from road reserves  to pave way for the road reserves, corridors clear of any encroachments as stated in by the 2019 Roads Act. It has become a habit by many people  to encroach on the road reserves without the authorization of UNRA.”

Adding that road reserves are encroached on by the business community who put up bars, stalls and even houses. This makes it difficult for authorities to expand roads, construct drainage channels and utility lines.

He said any person or company who constructs, erects or commences to construct or erect any building, billboard, unauthorized road sign or erection is in contravention with 2019 Road Act.