Behind KCCA's electric buses plan

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Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has unveiled a long-term strategy aimed at tackling traffic congestion in Kampala, one of the most persistent urban challenges in Uganda's capital.

The ​plan, part of KCCA's new strategic framework, focuses on expanding mass public transport systems while reducing reliance on private vehicles.

“In our strategic plan, we are prioritising solutions to Kampala’s traffic congestion, including the introduction of electric buses along major corridors," said KCCA executive director Sharifah Buzeki on social media platform X.

"We are also working with the Ministry of Works and Transport and Uganda Railways Corporation [URC] to expand passenger rail services."

According to Buzeki, the long-term solution to congestion lies in encouraging residents to shift from private cars to walking, cycling and using mass transit systems such as the metre gauge railway, bus rapid transit and light rail transit.

KCCA intends to introduce electric buses along major traffic corridors in Kampala, and is currently engaging local bus service providers ahead of the rollout.

Once operational, the buses are expected to transport large numbers of commuters and help reduce the number of private vehicles on city roads.

KCCA is also working with the transport ministry and URC to expand passenger rail transport by double-tracking existing railway corridors.

The railway component will form part of the broader metre gauge railway system connecting Mukono to Bujuuko, offering an alternative transport option for thousands of daily commuters entering Kampala.

In addition, KCCA plans to introduce a bus rapid transit system on key metropolitan routes, including Mukono–Kampala, Gayaza–Kampala and Kampala–Kajjansi. The system will operate on dedicated bus lanes designed to move passengers faster than regular traffic.

KCCA is also proposing the development of a light rail transit (LRT) network linking emerging urban centres such as Kira, Matugga and Nakisunga. The proposal includes a circular LRT route along the northern and southern bypasses to help ease pressure on roads in the city centre.

However, Buzeki noted that infrastructure expansion alone will not fully solve the congestion problem, stressing that reducing the number of private cars entering the city will be key to easing traffic.

The new proposals come as the city has in recent years implemented several measures aimed at improving traffic flow in Kampala.

For instance, authorities have replaced a number of roundabouts with signalised junctions to streamline traffic movement at busy intersections in order to modernise traffic management and reduce congestion on major roads in Kampala.

The city has also established a central traffic control centre at City Hall to monitor traffic flow across the capital, which is believed to start working later this year (2026).

The centre uses cameras and an intelligent transport system to manage traffic lights in real time and respond to congestion at key junctions.

KCCA officials said the system will allow authorities to coordinate traffic signals more efficiently and improve movement along major corridors.

In addition, the government has invested in large infrastructure projects designed to ease pressure on Kampala’s road network.

One of them is the Clock Tower flyover and underpass project, which was constructed to improve traffic movement at one of the city’s busiest intersections and reduce congestion around the central business district.