How sh300b Kampala flyover has eased flow of traffic

For six years, Hood Walakira, a commuter taxi driver along Entebbe Road, has been operating with difficulty occasioned by the works on the Kampala flyover stretching from the Clock Tower to Nsambya.

Walakira, who is also the Entebbe stage chairperson, however, said this is now history after the completion of the first phase of the Kampala flyover.

The Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) funded the road contracted to M/s Shimizu/Konoike Joint Venture in May 2019.

Consultant Joint Venture of Nippon Koei, Eight Japan Engineering Company and ICS supervised the construction works.

According to Walakira, the project launched on February 19, this year, has helped reduce the traffic gridlock from the Old Taxi Park towards Kibuye along Entebbe Road.

“We used to spend almost an hour between the Old Taxi Park and Kibuye roundabout especially during rush hours, but with the completion of the flyover, it takes just a few minutes,” he said.

Besides, the opening of the road along Usafi Market up to Ring Road in Mengo has also relieved drivers who now easily connect from the city centre to Kibuye before joining Entebbe Road.

“My plea to government is to have more of these projects in the city and also to work on potholes and other roads which are in a bad state,” Walakira noted.

Peter Kaggwa, the Entebbe Expressway Driver’s Association chairperson, explained that with the completion of the flyover, the jam that used to be a menace along Entebbe Road in the past has drastically reduced.

Umar Isabirye, a bodaboda rider and chairperson of bodaboda riders in Makindye division, Kampala, said parts of the flyover are out of bounds to bodaboda riders.

He urged Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), the works ministry and Police to enforce the law by arresting those cyclists who use the restricted routes so as to create sanity in the city.

However, pedestrians who have a provision to walk over the bridge have also failed to use it, saying walking up the steps is tiresome, while some have a fear of heights.

About the road project

On February 19, the works ministry handed over the completed first phase of the Kampala flyover to KCCA. The facilities handed over include the 584-metre Clock Tower flyover, Shoprite pedestrian bridge, Clock Tower circular bridge, Kibuli pedestrian bridge and Nsambya underpass.

Others are 233 street lights, 41 transformers, traffic signal poles, five traffic signal controllers, 94 traffic signal lights, and 82 special lights at the Clock Tower junction.

Additionally, five signalised junctions, including Shoprite, Clock Tower, Nsambya Hospital, the new Kibuli overpass, a street sweeper truck, one drain pipe cleaner truck, two high-pressure washers and two road patrol cars were handed over. JICA funded the civil works of the project.

According to Stephen Kitonsa, the works ministry acting engineer-in-chief, Uganda signed an agreement with JICA to construct the flyover in January 2015.

President Yoweri Museveni launched the project on December 19, 2018, with the first phase budgeted at $82m (sh300b).

Kitonsa said the new modern Clock Tower flyover involved the construction of a four-lane Nsambya underpass, pedestrian bridges, junction improvements and general road widening to ease traffic flow along Entebbe Road.

KCCA’S role and commitment

Speaking on behalf of the KCCA, Akankwasa highlighted the project’s two components: construction as well as operation and maintenance.

“As you hand over the infrastructure to KCCA for the second phase, we ask for confidence in our ability to manage and maintain it effectively,” he said. Akankwasa reaffirmed KCCA’s commitment to enforcing regulations and protecting the new infrastructure.

“This is not just a KCCA bridge, it serves all Ugandans. Let us use it responsibly by avoiding vandalism, refraining from littering, and reporting any acts of destruction,” he emphasised.

Traffic Police speak out

The Traffic Police spokesperson, Michael Kananura, revealed that since the opening of the Clock Tower-Entebbe Road route, they have experienced less traffic jams compared to the past years.

Kananura said despite the traffic flow, bodaboda riders still remain a challenge since they do not respect traffic lights. He said some pedestrians refuse to use the foot bridge and take short cuts by using the road.

“The riders are still confused and cannot read road signs and the direction they are meant to take. Some riders use the one-way route and they end up being knocked down,” he observed.

Kananura implored KCCA together with the works ministry to carry out sensitisation of motorists and other road users.

“Motorists will respect and listen to the traffic police rather than KCCA and the works ministry. KCCA should bring us on board on issues of road safety,” he emphasised.

Second phase

Speaking about the design for the second phase of the construction of the Kampala flyover and road upgrading project, which is expected to commence soon, Kitonsa assured contractors that the works ministry has completed the designs.

He said negotiations for funding for the second phase of the Kampala flyover project are still ongoing between JICA and the Government.

“Most of the land has been acquired, and utility relocation will be completed before construction begins. We request that the funding arrangements be concluded soon so that construction can start,” Kitonsa said.

Project background

Kampala’s rapidly increasing traffic demand has for years placed an immense strain on the city’s road infrastructure, leading to frequent traffic gridlocks.

To address congestion within the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area, multiple projects and studies have been conducted, including a recent study by JICA which led to the formulation of the ongoing Kampala Flyover and Road Upgrading Project.

The project aims at reducing traffic congestion and improving urban transportation in Kampala by constructing flyovers, underpasses, pedestrian bridges, road expansions and improved junctions.

It is also expected to contribute to Uganda’s socioeconomic development and enhance logistics and transport connectivity with neighbouring countries.

Concerns over vandalism

While handing over the project to KCCA, Stephen Kitonsa, the works ministry acting engineer-in-chief, expressed concern over acts of vandalism and misuse of the infrastructure by some citizens.

“All maintenance access manhole steel steps have been cut out and stolen, making it impossible to access the culverts for desilting when clogged,” Kitonsa told KCCA officials, who were led by the acting director of engineering and technical services, Justus Akankwasa.

He also highlighted the challenge of pedestrian walkways being occupied by street vendors and traders, affecting the movement of pedestrians.

“Pedestrians are forced to walk on landscaped grass, rendering the greening and beautification efforts meaningless. Vendors should be sensitised and enforcement measures put in place to keep them off the pedestrian walkways,” Kitonsa emphasised.

To curb theft, Kitonsa noted that maintenance access doors for street light poles have been spot-welded. He further warned KCCA about homeless individuals who shelter under the flyover and pedestrian bridges.

The Kampala flyover project is expected to significantly contribute towards Uganda’s economic development and poverty reduction.