Simple ways to end Kampala traffic jam
EDITOR—This is in response to an article about the Rapid Bus Transit work in Kampala City article published in <i>The New Vision </i>recently. As an architecture student who has been living in London for the last six years, I agree that there is a need
EDITOR—This is in response to an article about the Rapid Bus Transit work in Kampala City article published in The New Vision recently. As an architecture student who has been living in London for the last six years, I agree that there is a need for order in the way traffic works in Kampala.
I visit Uganda twice a year and since I have been exposed to traffic systems as in Uganda and Europe, I cannot help but make comparisons. In so doing, I have thought out a strategy on how we can improve traffic flow in Kampala. I will share it with you;
Get rid of boda bodas, at least in greater Kampala. These by far are the biggest traffic hazard.
Have a regulated taxi/bus service. There are many taxis in Kampala. All one has to do is mark out routes for them, better yet formalise their already existing routes and limit them to a certain number of taxis.
Introduce minimum traffic-free zones.
I strongly object to the introduction of a congestion charge. If the above measures are implemented, there will be no congestion in Kampala.
Since we are a developing country, it is unfair to charge people who are trying to make a living in the city for entering it. Areas where congestion fees have been introduced are all in developed countries, whose economies of scale are better than Uganda’s. By the way, in the UK, the congestion charge is extremely unpopular and its zone has even been scaled back.
There was a public consultation to test whether residents of Manchester would accept a congestion charging zone and it was declined.
Another way of reducing the number of cars in Kampala is ensuring that only cars of a certain quality are allowed in the city. This is done annually in the UK.
In our case, it would mean making it a law that cars have to have a certificate that shows they are in a good mechanical condition. This would reduce the number of cars in Kampala by about 30% and that is a conservative estimate.
Authorities should also set up a heavy fine on driving without this certificate to ensure that only good cars hit the road. In dealing with traffic in Kampala, authorities should also ensure that the roads are well-maintained.
If one can implement the above measures and introduce traffic lights at every junction, you would be surprised how pleasant the city would be.
Michael Idusso
Kampala
I visit Uganda twice a year and since I have been exposed to traffic systems as in Uganda and Europe, I cannot help but make comparisons. In so doing, I have thought out a strategy on how we can improve traffic flow in Kampala. I will share it with you;
I strongly object to the introduction of a congestion charge. If the above measures are implemented, there will be no congestion in Kampala.
Since we are a developing country, it is unfair to charge people who are trying to make a living in the city for entering it. Areas where congestion fees have been introduced are all in developed countries, whose economies of scale are better than Uganda’s. By the way, in the UK, the congestion charge is extremely unpopular and its zone has even been scaled back.
There was a public consultation to test whether residents of Manchester would accept a congestion charging zone and it was declined.
Another way of reducing the number of cars in Kampala is ensuring that only cars of a certain quality are allowed in the city. This is done annually in the UK.
In our case, it would mean making it a law that cars have to have a certificate that shows they are in a good mechanical condition. This would reduce the number of cars in Kampala by about 30% and that is a conservative estimate.
Authorities should also set up a heavy fine on driving without this certificate to ensure that only good cars hit the road. In dealing with traffic in Kampala, authorities should also ensure that the roads are well-maintained.
If one can implement the above measures and introduce traffic lights at every junction, you would be surprised how pleasant the city would be.
Michael Idusso
Kampala